Flossmoor SD 161 reviews first year of standards-based grading, plans expanded math coaching

Flossmoor School District 161 staff on May 19 reviewed the first year of implementing standards‑based grading and instruction and said they will return to the board with a formal proposal for multi‑year math coaching through the Metro Chicago Math Initiative.

The review, presented by a district curriculum staff member identified in the meeting as Ms. Crawford, emphasized that this school year was a ‘‘huge lift’’ and called the rollout the district’s ‘‘first year of implementation of standards based grading and instruction.’’ Dr. Smith, the district superintendent, joined the discussion and described the coming schedule for principal interviews and end‑of‑year events.

Why it matters: District leaders said the shift aims to center instruction on prioritized grade‑level standards, improve consistency across schools and give teachers embedded coaching rather than one‑time workshops. Officials said the work will affect report cards, teacher planning and parent communication and that additional board approval will be required for an outside math professional‑development contract.

District staff outlined accomplishments and next steps. Crawford said the district made proficiency scales public and built internal Canvas courses to centralize assessments and resources. She said teachers will continue work this summer in curriculum committees to build units tied to the year‑long plans and that roughly 15 teachers have signed up for a three‑and‑a‑half‑week summer curriculum committee.

On math instruction, Crawford said the district will seek a formal proposal for the Metro Chicago Math Initiative (MCMI), describing it as ‘‘expensive professional development’’ but one that provides site‑based coaching and classroom follow‑up. The plan is to involve all junior high math teachers and selected elementary teacher leaders; staff said they intend to cycle other elementary teachers through the training over time to build building‑level capacity.

Board members pressed for details on how teacher leaders would share training with colleagues and how lost instructional time for pulled teachers would be managed. Board member Amabelle asked whether one teacher per grade level would attend the MCMI training; Crawford replied the district plans a twofold approach using professional learning communities and instructional coaches to spread learning.

Parents and board members raised communication issues tied to the standards work. Crawford acknowledged feedback that families want clearer, consistent communications between Skyward and Canvas and said the district will develop a consistent parent‑communication approach next year.

Crawford and other staff said the district will continue Marzano coaching next year in addition to the math initiative, and Dr. Smith said the administration will bring a formal MCMI proposal to a future board meeting with cost details. ‘‘We will be bringing back the formal proposal for the Metro Chicago Math Initiative,’’ Crawford said during the discussion.

The presentation also previewed assessment reporting the district expects to return to the board later this year, including MAP and AIMSweb results and the Illinois Assessment of Readiness if state data arrive in time.

Board reaction was broadly supportive. One board member praised teachers and administrators for taking on the ‘‘massive undertaking’’ and encouraged patience as the multi‑year initiatives take hold.

The board had no formal action during the presentation; staff were directed to return with a formal MCMI proposal and cost estimates before the board votes.