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Novi reports strong I‑Ready spring gains; K–4 literacy rollout showed early gains, staff say
Summary
District staff told the board that spring I‑Ready results place all schools in the "high growth, high performance" quadrant, with overall math proficiency at about 76% and reading at about 73%. The report highlighted strong subgroup gains and early positive signs after K–4 literacy curriculum changes.
District staff presented spring I‑Ready assessment results and told the board they show strong year‑to‑year outcomes across grade bands despite recent curriculum changes in K–4.
"The biggest highlight that we see is that all schools fall within the high growth, high performance quadrant," Laura Bidlak, the district’s director of elementary education, told the board during the June 12 meeting. Bidlak led the presentation and said staff used the results as one indicator among several to guide curriculum and instructional planning.
Key points presented to trustees: district leaders reported an overall math proficiency of about 76% at or above grade level and a reading proficiency of about 73%, both above national normed averages referenced in the presentation. Bidlak noted that nine of 10 subgroups met progress toward typical growth in reading and that several subgroups showed increased progress in math from spring 2024 to spring 2025.
The presentation addressed a common implementation concern: districts sometimes see a short-term dip in test scores after introducing a new curriculum. Bidlak said the anticipated implementation dip for the K–4 literacy rollout was smaller than expected and that early domain-level indicators (phonological awareness, high-frequency words, phonics, vocabulary/comprehension) were encouraging. She also noted the district is preparing to pilot I‑Ready Pro in the fall to improve engagement and assessment flow.
Board members asked several follow-up questions. Trustee Mishner asked about a consistent drop in the higher-growth categories between grades 6 and 8 in math; presenters said part of that trend historically reflected inconsistent testing of accelerated students and that the district has corrected a misunderstanding so all K–8 students are now required to take the benchmark assessment, which will change year‑to‑year comparisons. Staff also said they have initiated a K–12 standards committee to begin a curriculum cycle review in math.
Superintendent Mica and multiple trustees praised teaching staff and coaches for their work during a difficult year of implementing new materials. Trustee Beaudoin said teachers called the results "the best data they've ever had," and the board noted the results will guide further targeted work in math and literacy.
Next steps: district staff said they'll continue data review in subgroups and subject domains, convene the K–12 standards committee for curriculum review, pilot I‑Ready Pro in the fall, and share appendices and further analysis with the board and the public.
