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East Kingston Principal Reports Enrollment Gains, Test-score Improvements; Orton-Gillingham Training Underway
Summary
Principal reported enrollment and notable gains on I-Ready and statewide assessments, credited to tiered instruction and Orton-Gillingham training; the board discussed professional development and funding sources (grants).
The East Kingston principal reported June 9 that kindergarten registration and overall student achievement markers rose this year and attributed large gains on I-Ready and state assessments to strengthened tier-1 instruction and targeted interventions.
Enrollment and assessment data: the principal said kindergarten registrations rose by one since the last meeting, with total enrollment remaining around 113 students. The principal presented schoolwide SAS and I-Ready results showing year-over-year increases: math, science and ELA proficiency rose compared with 2023 and staff described substantial reductions in the share of students in the lowest achievement band on I-Ready.
Instructional approach and training: administrators and teachers credited multi-tiered systems of support, early Orton-Gillingham (OG) instruction that began with the current grades when they were in kindergarten, and strengthened Tier 2/Tier 3 interventions. The board heard that one new teacher will take comprehensive OG training later this month and the district expects to have at least one OG-certified staff member within two years.
Professional development funding: the district said PLC (professional learning community) conference attendance and leadership training will be supported by grant funds and regrant dollars; one teacher's OG training this budget cycle is grant-funded.
Next steps: the principal outlined plans for next year to use "what I need now" (WIN) blocks more strategically for intervention and extension, add team leaders for K—2 and 3—5 vertical teams, and continue PLC work to maintain progress.
Ending: board members asked for fall reports and cross-SAU comparisons; administrators said principals meet with the SAU curriculum director to review trends and will report back in the fall.
