Newberg SD presents YouthTruth survey and ODE "at a glance" data; highlights strong culture, calls for more academic challenge

Newberg School District staff on Jan. 28 presented results from the YouthTruth survey and the Oregon Department of Education "at a glance" report, saying students and staff reported strong relationships and school culture but are asking for more academic challenge and instructional variety.

Holly, a district staff presenter, told the Board of Directors the student participation rates were high (elementary 99%, middle 95%, high school 74%), and that survey themes most frequently rated highest were relationships, belonging, peer collaboration and culture. She said the lowest-rated student themes were academic challenge and instructional methods at elementary and middle levels and college-and-career readiness at the high school level. "Our students are saying, I want more challenge, and they want diversified instructional methods," Holly said.

The staff presentation showed staff survey participation of roughly 69–70% at elementary and high school levels and 59% at middle school. Staff reported culture and relationships as strong areas, while professional development, support and engagement were lower-rated themes.

District staff said family participation was lower (elementary families 19%, middle school families 27%, high school families 11%) and that family responses mirrored student and staff patterns: strong relationships and communication but lower ratings for resources and engagement.

Separately, the district reviewed Oregon Department of Education "at a glance" metrics. The presenter said the district’s regular-attender rate (students attending 90% or more of school days) was 71%. On-time (four-year) graduation was reported at 86%, with a five-year completion rate of 89%. The presentation noted a 7-percentage-point year-over-year increase in regular attendance districtwide and incremental gains in several graduation and on-track measures.

The presenter placed Newberg in context with nearby districts: the district’s 3rd-grade English language arts proficiency was described as ‘‘about 50%’’ and 8th-grade math and other metrics compared favorably or were close to neighboring districts. The presentation also noted Newberg’s dual-language program as a reason third-grade proficiency often lags compared with districts that do not run dual-language cohorts: "kids who are acquiring language in a dual language program will start to creep up and then seed proficiency, but not until after 3rd grade," the presenter said.

District leaders said they will use the YouthTruth results to guide work on professional development, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) in ELA, efforts to build a similar MTSS in math, and a targeted three-year plan to increase academic rigor. The board was told a 9th-grade "on-track" team will continue, and transition meetings between 8th- and 9th-grade teachers are planned to support students during that critical year.

Board members thanked staff for the presentation and for high participation rates in the survey. The presenter said building-level breakdowns will be provided to principals for local follow-up and that YouthTruth data will be paired with ThoughtExchange results the district is organizing.

District staff emphasized that while there are areas to improve, the data show meaningful strengths in safety, culture and relationships that the district aims to preserve while increasing academic challenge.

Looking forward, staff said district- and building-level follow-ups, revised professional development and targeted interventions will be phased in as part of a multi-year improvement plan.