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Pasco district’s early-year PM1 data shows uneven gains; district launches emergency review of fifth-grade science
Summary
District academic leaders presented PM1 beginning-of-year data that show mixed results across grades and launched an emergency redesign of fifth-grade science after a double-digit drop in measured proficiency.
District academic leaders presented early-year progress-monitoring (PM1) results and flagged several areas needing urgent attention, including an emergency review of fifth-grade science curriculum.
The presenter described PM1 as “beginning of year data” and said the district is using the data as an early barometer to guide interventions. The presentation highlighted three main concerns: kindergarten English scores below the state PM1 average, a cohort decline between second and third grades in English, and low math proficiency in early grades—particularly a cohort of students whose third-grade math proficiency fell from 17% last year to 9% this year. In science, fifth-grade PM1 proficiency fell from 45.1% last year to 35.2% this year, prompting district leaders to call an emergency curriculum review.
What the district will do: the district said it has temporarily reassigned two elementary science staff from schools to lead a rapid redesign of fifth-grade science lessons, focusing first on instruction in quarter two and beyond. District leaders said they will provide a more scaffolded, teacher-friendly curriculum and asked principals to ensure 40–45 minutes of science instruction in elementary master schedules. The district noted that the new math adoption this year has required substantial classroom time and may have limited time available for science instruction.
Why it matters: several presenters warned that early PM1 results can forecast later outcomes, and that third grade is “pivotal” for later achievement. The district indicated that one-third-grade cohort decline in both English and math warrants targeted intervention because early deficits compound in later grades.
Quotes and specifics: the presenter said, “Progress monitoring 1. Again, this is beginning of year data and ultimately what we do at the schools is going to impact how our students perform on these assessments.” On science, the presenter said the district had “an emergency meeting on the curriculum and fifth grade right now is being redesigned by our science team for fifth grade.”
Next steps: the district will roll out revised fifth-grade science materials for quarter two planning, contact principals for schedule compliance, and continue monitoring PM2/PM3. No new budget appropriation was recorded in the meeting transcript; the district said it would reassign existing staff to the redesign.
Ending: District officials described the plan as immediate and staff-driven; the board received the report and asked clarifying questions but did not vote on new spending or policy at this meeting.
