CMS reports modest gains in grades 3–5 reading; officials say 691 more students needed to meet annual target

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Earnest L. Hill presented an interim reading report on March 25 showing that 33% of third- through fifth-grade students are projected to score at the college-and-career-ready level on end-of-grade reading assessments, short of the 37% annual target for 2024–25.

The district uses MVPA benchmark assessments to project end-of-year performance. Dr. Hill told the board that the second benchmark projects 35% of students in grades 3–5 to reach levels 4 or 5; the district must accelerate growth to gain 2 percentage points by the April benchmark and the actual test in order to reach 37%.

Board members pressed staff on what would close the remaining gap. Dr. Hill and Chief Academic staff said the district has identified 11,000 students currently projected as college-and-career ready and needs an additional 691 to meet the target. Staff pointed to three primary levers: reduce chronic absenteeism, target instruction to students on the cusp of proficiency, and strengthen job-embedded professional development via school-based master teachers and district specialists.

“Knowing who those students are, being able when we do our core action walks to know who those…