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Superintendent reports gains in literacy, attendance and career pathways; Smarter Balanced results remain preliminary
Summary
Superintendent Doctor Negron presented a year‑end report highlighting DIBELS and NWEA gains, preliminary Smarter Balanced growth projections, expanded career pathways and improved attendance and chronic absenteeism metrics.
Superintendent Doctor Negron reported districtwide academic and programmatic gains and outlined priorities and next steps for 2025–26 during the board meeting.
Negron summarized literacy gains measured by DIBELS from mid‑year to end‑of‑year: kindergarten students at or above grade level rose from 30% to 53%; first‑grade students below grade level fell from 56% to 37%; second‑grade students at or above rose from 35% to 47%; and third‑grade students well above grade level doubled from 13% to 26%.
On broader assessments, the superintendent described preliminary local analysis of Smarter Balanced results indicating a projected 0.5 percentage‑point increase in overall literacy proficiency and cited specific cohort gains, but she noted the district is awaiting official state release and emphasized the preliminary status of the data.
The district also reported NWEA gains: in 17 schools the percent of typical growth achieved exceeded 100%; over 50% of students met typical growth targets and over 30% reached a 150% (stretch) growth benchmark. High‑school SAT increases were highlighted at two schools (MBA and Career) that exceeded district averages in evidence‑based reading and writing.
Negron reviewed career pathway expansions and credentials: the district now reports six defined pathways (health care, manufacturing, education, business, BioCity, culinary), college credit accumulation for pathway students and increased industry certifications (from 118 to 158). She highlighted the first career pathway cohort’s outcomes, including 100% college acceptance among that cohort and an average of 25.5 college credits earned.
Attendance and school climate: The district reported a 1 percentage‑point increase in daily attendance (from 87.4% to 88.4%) and preliminary declines in chronic absenteeism; the superintendent said the district expects marked decreases once the state verifies numbers. Negron also reported expanded supports: every school now has a Wilson reading‑trained teacher, expanded PBIS training and other social‑emotional supports.
Board members praised the results and noted the work was accomplished despite constrained resources. Board member Mister Wilcox highlighted McKinney‑Vento homelessness counts (approximately 847 students on his note) to underscore the district’s challenges; Dr. Benitez and Mayor Elicker also commended staff and leadership.
Why it matters: The report sketches year‑over‑year academic improvement, increases in postsecondary credits and career certifications, and operational progress on attendance and climate, but key statewide assessment results remain preliminary until the state posts verified Smarter Balanced data.
