Barton Elementary principal details student‑achievement targets and services for English learners

Marisol Pioroz, principal of Barton Elementary School, presented the school’s enrollment, assessment results and school improvement goals during the Alisal Union School District board meeting.

Pioroz told the board Barton enrolls 561 students. She reported 317 English learners, 39 long‑term English learners, 96 migrant students and 82 students receiving special education services. The after‑school program currently serves about 84 students.

Why it matters: Barton’s assessment data showed mixed results and informed the school’s targets. Pioroz reviewed Smarter Balanced (SBAC) and I‑Ready diagnostic results by grade and said the school has reduced the share of students scoring three or more grade levels below in early diagnostics from roughly 35% last year to 26% this year.

Specific results and goals: third‑grade SBAC results were presented as 24% meeting or exceeding English‑language arts standards (a 5‑point decline from the prior year); fourth grade was 19% (up 2 points); fifth grade rose to 27% (up 9 points); sixth grade was 20% (down 11 points). In math, third grade showed 31% meeting or exceeding, fourth grade 17%, fifth grade 14%, and sixth grade 5%. Pioroz said I‑Ready diagnostics follow the same trend with fewer students in the lowest band compared with last year.

Barton’s school learning goals for the 2025–26 year include: 63% of students reaching "typical growth" on I‑Ready diagnostics, 27% reaching "stretch growth," and 60% of multilingual learners advancing one English‑language proficiency (ELPAC) level. Pioroz said those targets build on a prior year in which 53% of students achieved typical growth and 46% of multilingual learners made ELPAC gains.

Instructional strategies and supports: the school identified strategies such as differentiated instruction four days a week, targeted small groups formed from I‑Ready and phonics data, use of instructional coaching, and protocols from the school’s second year participating in the Vital protocols (district program name reported as "Vital"). Barton also highlighted a wellness team and community‑school services — including a community resource room, clothing closet and parent literacy workshops — intended to support attendance and school climate.

Trustee feedback and follow up: trustees asked questions about declining sixth‑grade results and requested a year‑end follow up to track the cohort’s progress. Trustee Jose Antonio Jimenez and Trustee Guadalupe Gilpaz Barrera both praised the presentation and asked staff to return with updates on targeted supports for the sixth‑grade team.

Principal and staff named in the presentation included assistant principal Rosa Carranza, community school coordinator Marietta Varera and parent education specialist Renee Mora, who Pioroz recognized during the presentation.