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Division reports reading, math growth and lower disciplinary incidents under MTSS update
Summary
School staff presented a multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) update showing fall‑to‑winter gains on universal screeners (VALS, STAR), improvement in some behavioral incident categories and attendance monitoring; staff also reported Care Solace referral activity and senior graduation indicators.
Gloucester County Public Schools staff updated the school board March 11 on the division's multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS), reporting screening and diagnostic data and outlining next steps for interventions.
The update described a coordinated MTSS framework used across academics, behavior and social‑emotional learning. Presenters said the division moved to the VALS universal screener for phonics and noted a fall‑to‑winter shift showing fewer students at high risk and more at low risk in early grades.
Academic measures District staff showed fall‑to‑winter STAR reading and math diagnostics with blue (growth or steady) results across several grades. Dr. Stamm and Dr. Ford said the data indicate that classroom instruction combined with reading specialists and targeted interventions have contributed to gains.
Graduation indicators High‑school monitoring is part of MTSS for seniors, presenters said. Dr. Ford told the board that 64 students had graduated in January and that about 300 seniors remained in the class of 2025 as the division approaches June. He listed four monthly graduation indicators used by staff and said that 72 seniors were currently recorded with a D or F in required gatekeeper courses (U.S. Government or 12th‑grade English). The division also reported about 45 seniors enrolled in recovery courses and that roughly 89% of seniors had the verified credits associated with state tests.
Behavior, attendance and Care Solace Behavioral data presented compared the 2023‑24 year with 2024‑25 and showed incident counts by school, grade cohort and category; staff highlighted decreases in some categories and emphasized cohort tracking as students move from year to year.
Attendance data used the usual definition of chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of days of membership and compared year‑to‑date levels by school and grade; staff said chronic absence remains a focus.
Staff also reported results from the division's Care Solace partnership for behavioral health referrals. The slides showed "86 cases" referred to Care Solace since July 1, more than 4,000 communications between the vendor and families, 37 appointments scheduled and 86 anonymous searches. Staff clarified Care Solace can be used for warm handoffs to community providers and that families or employees may self‑refer.
Why it matters: MTSS frames early intervention and a data‑driven approach to prevent academic decline, reduce exclusionary discipline and provide targeted support. Board members praised the work and asked for continued updates on screening results and interventions.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to refine interventions, provide professional development and expand family and community engagement to support the MTSS process.
