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Okemos district reports midyear NWEA growth and SEL screening results; high school "academic growth days" show early gains
Summary
Okemos Public Schools officials presented midyear NWEA growth results and district SEL screener data, described professional development and MTSS activities, and reported early outcomes from a high school academic recovery program that reduced failing courses for participating students.
District leaders presented a midyear check on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) work, winter benchmark NWEA (MAP) growth data and social‑emotional learning (SEL) screener results.
Academic growth: The district set annual targets of 62.5% of students meeting expected growth in reading and 66.5% in math. At midyear staff reported that 48.3% of students had met expected growth in literacy and 57.9% in math; those subgroup results showed variation, with some subgroups exceeding the district average. Leaders said the district has been using NWEA MAP growth norms and will continue to monitor cohort trends through spring assessments.
Interventions and professional development: Staff described districtwide training efforts that include LETRS literacy training for teachers, SIOP training for multilingual-learner instruction, universal classroom accommodations and instructional coaching. The district said it is implementing K–4 SEL curriculum and that Everyday Speech and external partners are helping analyze implementation and outcomes. Staff emphasized equity and inclusion as cross-cutting themes.
SEL screening and behavior supports: The district administers a 28-question SEL screener to students in grades 3–12 three times per year; the screener categorizes responses into normal, elevated and extremely elevated risk bands. Staff said the screener is one data point among many and described efforts with Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab and regional ISD partners to analyze trends and improve communication with families. Trustees and staff discussed concerns about students answering screeners dishonestly to avoid outreach; staff said the district is developing consistent school-level follow-up protocols and communications to families and is training counselors and social workers to use results responsibly. Staff reiterated that environmental, attendance and disciplinary data are considered alongside the SEL scores when deciding supports.
High school pilot: Okemos High School has piloted monthly "academic growth days" for students failing two or more courses. Staff reported that, after the first cycle, 58% of participating students reduced the number of failing classes and that 75% of course grades improved after participation. The program includes family notification, in‑school structured academic time, teacher support and counseling check-ins. District leaders said they will continue to evaluate effectiveness and follow up with data at the end of the year.
Why it matters: NWEA growth measures are the district’s primary midyear growth metric and inform MTSS triage and intervention. SEL screening can identify students who might need supports beyond academics, but staff cautioned the tool is an initial check-in and requires careful follow up to avoid unintended consequences.
Ending: Staff said spring assessment results and further implementation data will be shared later in the year, and trustees asked that building-level drilling on SEL follow-up procedures and communications be included in future updates.
