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District reports progress on benchmarks, high-school flex time and Google Workspace migration
Summary
District curriculum staff reported on fall benchmark testing, plans to adjust elementary testing windows, continuation of high-school flex/intervention time and a multi-year technology migration to Google Workspace.
Lowell Area Schools staff reported Sept. 8 that teaching and learning across the district are underway and described plans to adjust benchmark testing, expand intervention systems and complete a multi-year migration to Google Workspace for Education.
Steve Goff provided the curriculum update and said elementary buildings are completing fall benchmark testing with Acadience and NWEA MAP; district leaders are discussing reducing spring benchmark windows to protect instructional time because the spring schedule already includes state M-STEP testing. “We use the information from these assessments to make sure that students are progressing as expected and that they get the help and support they need,” Goff said.
At the high school, administrators reported continued implementation of flex time, a tier-2 intervention model intended to provide timely academic support. Goff said the high school has recorded seven consecutive terms with the district’s lowest course-failure rates on record and two terms at 2 percent or less; he also noted record Advanced Placement participation and scores in the past two years while participation rose.
The middle school leadership team has begun discussions to build a tier-2 intervention system similar to the high school’s model, with deliberations expected through October and November. Goff said the middle school is considering 60 minutes of intervention one to two times a week and has placed its advisory schedule on hold while planning proceeds.
Technology staff briefed the board on a three-year transition from Novell to Google Workspace for Education. Goff called the effort “a huge undertaking” affecting roughly 5,000 students and staff and said the district is in year three of the project and nearing completion.
District leaders also reminded the board of Constitution Day programming Sept. 17, upcoming parent-teacher conferences and a half day of instruction and staff professional development on Oct. 31.
No board votes were taken on curriculum or testing at the meeting; the report outlined work in progress and next steps for further board discussion.
