District reports math gains, previews state safe‑school climate survey and K‑3 reading presentation

The Cheshire Board’s curriculum committee reported student gains on mid‑year math diagnostics after district changes to middle‑school instruction and adoption of the i‑Ready math resource.

Mrs. Solon and curriculum staff told the board that the district moved to a single seventh‑grade pre‑algebra placement and expects all eighth graders to take algebra next year. Staff said the change, combined with a second year of teacher implementation of the resource, contributed to “significant growth,” with the biggest gains among students who previously scored in the lowest bands.

Committee members also previewed the State Department of Education’s recommended safe school climate survey. The district plans to load the state‑recommended questions into a Google Form for anonymous administration and to share an opt‑out form for parent/guardian review. Staff told the board that student response rates are typically above 95% at elementary grades (taken in class) and lower at the high school; staff and parents return rates vary by grade. The board heard that the survey will be returned for a formal vote before the district administers it; staff emphasized that the survey is a research‑based tool intended to track trends and inform the district’s safe‑school climate plan.

Separately, the superintendent noted the district’s invitation to present its K‑3 reading implementation journey to the Connecticut Literacy Council; staff described a presentation that highlighted gains in Smarter Balanced results and focused on the district’s “science of reading” rollout, with special attention to multilingual learner needs.

Staff said the district is piloting an Algebra I resource and expects a May curriculum committee discussion and recommendation; other summer curriculum writing projects were described as more targeted than previous years.