Three middle schools present unified 90‑day plan after year of UVA partnership; test scores show modest gains

Principals from Sabish, Tyson and Woodworth middle schools on Tuesday presented a unified 90‑day plan the schools developed in their second year in the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education, highlighting new unit planning, weekly data-driven meetings and increased collaboration with special education staff. The presentation included Forward Exam results the principals described as evidence of “incredible growth.”

The plan’s immediate goal is to strengthen grade‑level alignment so students entering the district’s high school arrive with more consistent skills. The schools said action steps include professional development on the district universal unit‑planning guide, standards‑aligned unit development and calibration, frequent administrative classroom walkthroughs with defined “look‑fors,” and weekly, cross‑school data meetings using a Data‑Driven Instruction (DDI) template.

The principals and district staff framed the work as building on last year’s gains. Jillian King, a Woodworth staff lead, reported Forward Exam proficiency increases the group attributed to coordinated practice: in math, 7th grade proficiency rose to 57% from 54%, 8th grade to 55% from 53%, and 9th grade to 63% from 55%; in reading, 7th grade rose to 54% from 50%, 8th grade to 51% from 50% and 9th grade to 61% from 55%. King said the district used WiseDash data to compare the most recent year with the prior reporting period.

Principals described how the DDI meetings will operate: weekly, content‑specific meetings for ELA and math that are co‑facilitated by an administrator and attended virtually by teachers across the three middle schools. Teachers will document team decisions and interventions in a DDI action template, and administrators plan ongoing PD to support the process. Special education staff will join data meetings to ensure scaffolds and accommodations are embedded in grade‑level lessons, the principals said.

Board members asked for more specificity. Board President Karen Maine asked whether walkthroughs would use a checklist; administrators said they will use targeted, bite‑sized “look‑fors” aligned to monthly PD goals so feedback is focused and actionable. Board member Mr. Oliver asked whether the principals had specific improvement targets; school leaders said those targets will be provided to the board and superintendent as the district finalizes goal setting.

Public comment and a later speaker recommended more explicit, verbal reporting of disaggregated results by race, students with disabilities and English‑language learners. King and other presenters said the schools had examined subgroup data during a recent data summit and used those analyses to identify attendance and engagement issues, but they did not present subgroup percentages during the board presentation.

There was no vote or formal board action on the 90‑day plan. Administrators said the work is beginning immediately and will be monitored through the district’s regular reporting and the planned DDI cycle.

The principals asked the board to expect additional updates and target proposals in coming weeks as the district integrates the middle‑school work with district “big rocks” for curriculum and instruction.