Lewis Central reports near-75% proficiency; board approves new high-school math curriculum

Lewis Central Community School District officials told the school board on May 19 that the district’s finalized ISAS scores show roughly 75% proficiency in math and language arts and about 73% proficiency in science, and the board voted to buy a new high-school math curriculum to address instructional needs.

Dr. Hartman, a district staff member who presented the test results, said, "our proficiency level as a district for math, we're almost at 75%. Language arts is 75%, and science is 73%." She told the board the district’s goal remains 80% proficiency in math and language arts.

The presentation focused on cohort analysis and subgroups. Dr. Hartman said a sixth-grade cohort gained "10.56%" in math and 6.42% in language arts, and noted a significant eighth-grade math gain where proficiency rose from about 74% to nearly 88%. She also flagged declines: a current fifth-grade cohort fell from about 80% proficiency in third grade to 71% in fifth-grade math and showed year-to-year dips in several elementary grades.

Dr. Hartman reported mixed results for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): several buildings saw declines in math proficiency for students with IEPs (Titan Hill down 9.8% in math, seventh grade down 7.74%, tenth grade down 6.48%), while other areas showed gains (middle school math up 8.8%, high-school language arts up about 6.7%, and science gains across buildings).

Board members asked about comparison to statewide averages and causes for test changes. Dr. Hartman said statewide proficiency last year was 72% in language arts, 69% in math and 61% in science, and the district is above those averages. When asked if curriculum change could explain the science gains, she said other districts reported similar increases and added, "some of our cross curricular areas, like science, like social studies, have been working really, really hard to bring in literacy." A board member observed the district’s fifth-grade cohort included students who were in kindergarten during COVID and said that may have affected foundational learning.

As a follow-up to the data, the board approved a purchase of Envision Math materials for the high school. The motion to "approve the high school math curriculum purchase from Savas Learning Company for $51,002.40" passed by recorded vote. The board recorded all members present voting yes.

Dr. Hartman said district leadership (DLT) will focus on a smaller set of priorities, fidelity checks for tier‑1 instruction, professional learning communities and targeted support for special populations to move toward the 80% goal.

The presentation materials will be made available to the board and staff, and Dr. Hartman invited trustees to indicate what additional data or next steps they want before the next school year.

The board did not adopt new policy during the presentation; the curriculum purchase was approved as an action item in the meeting’s business section.