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District reports midyear gains on common summative assessments; two schools to receive state reward funds
Summary
Fort Smith School District reported midyear gains on its common summative assessments and announced state reward funds for Howard and Woods elementary schools as part of a midyear review of 26 school improvement plans.
District leaders presented a midyear review of school improvement plans and early results from the district’s common summative assessments (CSAs), reporting progress in literacy and math and announcing state reward funds for high‑performing schools.
Director of Student Achievement and Accountability Dr. Kelly Minton told the board that all 26 school improvement plans adopted in November have been operationalized and that district staff met with each building leader to review actions and update goals based on recent assessment data.
On literacy, presenters said 18 of 18 elementary schools increased proficiency between CSA1 and CSA2, and all four middle schools also increased literacy proficiency; goals for high schools were reported as exceeded on CSA1. In math, 15 of 18 elementary schools increased proficiency on CSA2; one of four middle schools increased overall math proficiency while three middle schools showed gains in algebra; both high schools increased proficiency in Algebra I performance.
Dr. Minton highlighted two state reward awards tied to performance: Howard Elementary School’s student growth placed it among the top 5% of elementary schools in the state, qualifying it for more than $22,000 in reward funds; Woods Elementary School’s performance placed it among the top schools and qualified it for more than $45,000. Cook Elementary and Chaffin Middle School were also noted as ranking in the top 6–10% statewide and eligible for state reward funds (amounts referenced in the presentation).
Presenters said CSA instruments draw from state‑provided items to approximate state assessment content and that staff would continue to revise school actions to accelerate student achievement through the remainder of the school year. Board members asked about spending rules for reward funds; presenters said those funds must be used to accelerate student academic performance and there are specifications on allowable expenditures.
The update was presented for information only; no board action was required.
