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Cooper Elementary reports assessment gains, PBIS celebrations and staff-collaboration steps amid Act 20 rollout
Summary
Cooper Elementary principal and staff updated the school board on student test-score gains, a STARBASE field trip paid in part by Enbridge, PBIS celebrations, staff changes after a building consolidation, and steps to implement Act 20 testing and personal reading plans.
Cooper Elementary leaders told the Superior School District board Monday that the school saw measurable gains on benchmark assessments this year and is focusing on targeted interventions and staff collaboration to accelerate student growth.
Principal Christine (first name only in the transcript) and third-grade teacher Lisa Baker described a variety of school programs and supports. Baker said Cooper fifth graders attended a 25-hour STARBASE STEM program in Duluth; Enbridge funded student transportation. The principal and teacher also highlighted schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) celebrations, including inclusive incentives and classroom recognition.
Administrators detailed the district’s Act 20 testing rollout and related communications with parents. Teachers reported that personal reading plans (PRPs) were distributed to families whose children scored below specified thresholds; staff emphasized multiple efforts to prepare and explain those plans at conferences and through parent outreach. Baker acknowledged that Act 20 and changes to assessments — including a midyear switch to AIMSweb and use of FastBridge for grades two through five — have introduced a learning curve for staff and families.
School leaders reported assessment gains by grade and assessment type. Examples provided in the presentation: kindergarten letter-sound scores rose (examples given as 5.13 to 29.39 for one measure and 10.89 for initial sounds), and first-grade decodable-word scores rose from 14.83 to 26.6 (winter). Administrators said each grade showed “significant gains” on the measures the school emphasized; they did not provide district-verified, itemized spreadsheets at the meeting.
Staffing and operational notes: Cooper absorbed many staff from Lake Superior Elementary this year, producing familiarization challenges in building routines and logistics; teachers said substitute coverage had improved as more certified staff took sub roles. The school reported reorganizing special-education staffing by narrower grade spans (K–1, 2–3, 4–5) to strengthen collaboration and interventions. The school also described weekly progress-monitoring meetings and a child-support team that includes the school psychologist (named Elsa) to review students of concern.
Administrators emphasized next steps: continued intervention regrouping, weekly data reviews to determine intervention placements or transitions to programs such as Read Live Naturally, and ongoing parent collaboration around PRPs. The board asked no formal action on the informational report.
Baker and Christine finished the presentation by thanking district staff who supported the rollout and noted plans for spring celebrations and continued attention to testing windows.
