Southfield district cites mixed test results, outlines tutoring, attendance and AI policy steps

Southfield Public Schools leaders presented 2024–25 state and college-preparatory assessment results and described immediate steps the district will take to address gaps in proficiency, including new after-school tutoring, strengthened attendance expectations and development of an artificial-intelligence framework for classroom use.

At a Monday board meeting, Executive Director of Instruction Summer Caldwell Carruthers and Data and Assessment Coordinator Venise Daniels summarized district M-STEP, PSAT and SAT returns and explained why the full dataset is released in stages by the Michigan Department of Education. Caldwell Carruthers said 59.7% of third graders “met” the third-grade reading benchmark under the state’s third grade reading law, while 40.3% “need support.” She told trustees that the district reduced the number of students on individual reading plans from 569 last year to 283 this year.

The presentation also noted gains in some grade bands: sixth, seventh and eleventh grade scores rose from the prior year; social studies proficiency increased across three grade levels; and eleventh-grade science rose by 11 percentage points. Eighth-grade ELA proficiency was the district’s highest for the second consecutive year, the presentation said.

Caldwell Carruthers described reporting constraints and timing: the district receives initial multiple-choice results in May, but writing scores and the school index arrive later under an MDE embargo. "We take the M-STEP and the college board in April and May," she told the board, and the embargo can delay public release until MDE lifts it.

Why it matters: district officials linked absenteeism and chronic tardiness to lower test performance and described the academic plan they say will help close gaps. Board President Ashanti Bland reiterated attendance as a top priority and said the board is preparing a proposed attendance policy to return for study and adoption.

Key steps and timeline - District-paid PSAT/SAT schedule for fall: PSAT 8 (eighth grade) and PSAT 9 (ninth grade) on Oct. 28; SAT (eleventh grade) on Oct. 23; PSAT 10 (tenth grade) on Oct. 21, the data coordinator confirmed. Daniels said the assessment calendar has been distributed to schools since July. - After-school tutoring: Caldwell Carruthers said the district is finalizing paperwork and aims to begin districtwide after-school tutoring “by the end of this month or November.” - AI framework: Board leaders and Caldwell Carruthers said the district is forming a countywide task force to develop guidance on ethical student use of artificial intelligence and how AI usage intersects with plagiarism and assessment practice.

District leaders also highlighted instructional interventions already under way: increased MTSS processes, pilots of new K–5 ELA curriculum in two schools, professional development for teachers focused on student engagement, and plans to expand small-group instruction informed by diagnostic screeners (Brigance, i-Ready and the district’s child-observation instruments).

Quotes from presenters were limited to those on the meeting roster. Caldwell Carruthers said, “We are making some progress,” and noted the reduction in children on individual reading plans. Superintendent Jennifer Green and board members asked staff to accelerate parent communication around test results and supports.

What remains open: the district did not present a single, consolidated districtwide proficiency number for all grades (the state index remains forthcoming), and some details — including the exact tutoring schedule and vendor/partner arrangements — were described as still being finalized.

Next steps: district staff will distribute PSAT/SAT logistics to families, begin the tutoring implementation paperwork, continue professional development and present draft attendance-policy language for board review at an upcoming study session.