District 25 reports ELA Sprint gains, adopts Amplify math and sets goals on absenteeism and college savings

Superintendent Dr. D'Antona updated the District 25 President's Council on curriculum, testing results and district goals, saying the district posted measurable gains after a recent ELA Sprint and has selected the Amplify curriculum for middle-school math.

Dr. D'Antona said the district ran an ELA Sprint for grades 3–5 and 6–8 to prepare students for state tests and reported that many students completed the expected 30–50 minutes per week. "I'm really pleased and, you know, proud of our schools for sustaining this work over the past 6 weeks," Dr. D'Antona said.

The superintendent presented detailed student metrics that shaped district goals: District 25 has 6,614 students identified as English language learners (about 28% of enrollment); among those ELL students, 56% are Asian and 40% Hispanic. The district reported 1,236 ELL students have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); 46% of those students are in ICT classes and 41% are in special classes. Districtwide, 20% of students were categorized as chronically absent.

Why it matters: the board framed next-year planning around those data points. Dr. D'Antona said school leadership teams must write goals now for the 2025–26 school year and that district priorities will include improving outcomes for Hispanic and Black students, students with disabilities, and English-language learners.

Key decisions and programs - Math curriculum: a district math committee evaluated Amplify, Illustrative Math and I-Ready. The committee selected Amplify for middle school; parents will get a fuller briefing at a May 28 session led by Beth Eaton. - Reading goals: the district will push greater, database-driven use of core curriculum resources and emphasize standalone language instruction (four periods for entering and emerging ELL students) to accelerate decoding and phonics gains. - College readiness and savings: the superintendent highlighted a "Save for College" program automatically providing eligible kindergarten–3 students with a $100 starter deposit and matching opportunities. Dr. D'Antona said fewer than 40% of eligible parents have activated accounts and asked parent leaders for ideas to boost signups. - Student voice and social-emotional work: the district will expand Project Soapbox (grades 3–8) and student leadership events, including a May 23 youth leadership event with former professional athletes to promote peer support and respectful behavior.

Data cited and implications - ELA Sprint: district average pass rate reported at 74% (I-Ready minimum target cited as 70% for elementary); middle-school pass rate reported as 81% in the sprint. - Midyear achievement: about 48% of students were at grade level midyear; 62.4% of non-ELL students were on grade level, versus 6% of ELL students (district officials said mobility and recency of arrival are factors for many ELL students).

Community events and outreach Dr. D'Antona also reviewed district events—wellness day, bocce league inclusion programming, cheer expo, elementary all-star games and a new girls basketball league—and urged parent leaders to publicize release dates and waitlist details for school offers (kindergarten, middle school, high-school offers and pre-K timelines were summarized).

What was not decided The presentation set goals and described curricular adoption and outreach plans; no vote on curriculum adoption or budget changes was recorded during the meeting.

Ending Dr. D'Antona asked parent leaders to provide feedback on boosting participation in the Save for College accounts and on other parent-engagement strategies ahead of goal-setting for 2025–26.