District assessment staff presented preliminary results for STAR and Smarter Balanced tests and introduced LinkIt, a new data-warehouse tool to combine assessment results with attendance and other data for classroom-level use.

Why it matters: Faster turnaround on Smarter Balanced scores and stronger STAR-to-SBA correlations can let teachers identify instruction and intervention needs sooner. A combined data platform gives principals and teachers a single view for longitudinal tracking and progress monitoring.

Assessment staff reported growth at several grade levels and said STAR local benchmarks were adjusted to improve correlation with Smarter Balanced outcomes. The presenter noted STAR returns quick feedback teachers can use for interventions, and that as Smarter Balanced returns scores more rapidly, the district can better compare measures. Middle schools showed particular growth in the most recent results the staff shared; several elementary schools reported double‑digit growth on Smarter Balanced and high student-growth-percentiles tied to collaborative professional learning and targeted fluency work.

The district is piloting LinkIt, a data platform that aggregates STAR, Smarter Balanced, grades, attendance and behavior, enabling teachers and principals to filter by program, subgroup or cohort and to produce longitudinal views. Assessment staff said initial training for principals is scheduled in June and expanded staff training in the fall; staff said LinkIt will support both cohort (same students across years) and grade-level views.

Board members asked whether the current board indicators should emphasize cohort-based longitudinal tracking rather than year‑over‑year grade-level snapshots; assessment staff agreed cohort reporting can be produced and said they will provide follow-up data and dashboards.

Ending: The district will continue to refine STAR benchmarks, finalize Smarter Balanced analyses as scores return, expand LinkIt access in stages and provide additional cohort/longitudinal reports to the board.