L'Anse Creuse outlines district improvement plan with measurable targets in literacy, math and behavior

L'Anse Creuse Public Schools administrators presented a districtwide improvement plan Wednesday that uses the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) framework and establishes measurable, interim targets in literacy, mathematics and student behavior.

Superintendent Keith Howell and district curriculum staff described a set of annual goals, many built on a 3% year-over-year improvement objective across assessments and indicators, and a set of seven strategies intended to be implemented with district and building-level supports.

The plan, presented as a single, three‑year continuous-improvement cycle, sets short-term interim targets and identifies tools and programs district leaders will use to monitor progress. Curriculum staff noted baseline results from 2024–25 and said the district will track growth using multiple measures: NWEA growth targets and Exact Path adaptive learning, the state M‑STEP for grades 3–7, and PSAT/SAT indicators at the secondary level.

District presenters said last year 57.7% of kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students met or exceeded their NWEA annual growth targets in literacy; district staff described a year‑over‑year growth objective (3% annually) applied across multiple measurable objectives. For the state reading assessment (M‑STEP) in grades 3–7, staff reported a baseline of 40.1% meeting or approaching proficiency and said the district has set a 3% annual improvement target to about 43.1% by the end of the coming cycle. For student conduct, the district reported 3,039 disciplinary referrals last year and set a goal to reduce referrals by about 3% annually.

District strategy choices are detailed in the MICIP platform and include foundational, evidence‑based instructional practices by level: K–3 essential literacy with UFLI phonics and daily routines; Exact Path adaptive reading and math for individualized practice; Bridges in Mathematics and number-of-the-day routines at the elementary level; Connected Mathematics Project 4 for middle school math; and tiered interventions at the secondary level. The plan also identifies MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) as a districtwide strategy to align tier 1 instruction for all students with tier 2 and tier 3 interventions for students who need additional support.

Administrators emphasized implementation, monitoring, and evaluation as the cycle’s critical phase: train staff, collect implementation data multiple times per year, and use the evidence to adjust strategies. The presenters said funding for many current strategies is covered through existing budgeted purchases and grant funds already in place; they also noted potential discretionary grant opportunities for new curricular materials.

Board members asked about family engagement and how to move parents and guardians to support student learning at home. Board member Sharon asked for clarity on disciplinary literacy as a positive instructional approach; presenters said “disciplinary literacy” refers to subject‑specific reading and thinking strategies rather than punitive measures. Several board members pressed for practical ways to increase parent participation and suggested explicit, consistent messaging to families about how to support students’ day‑to‑day learning.

Administrators said the district will translate the district plan into school-level written MTSS plans this year, and that building principals will receive building‑specific data and action steps. Staff promised regular reporting on interim indicators during the school year so the board can track implementation progress.

The district identified next steps: finalize building-level targets in MICIP, continue principal training, align professional development to the selected strategies, and share interim progress with the board during the year.

Ending: District staff presented the MICIP-based plan as a narrow, prioritized strategy set with an emphasis on consistent implementation. Board members said they want regular updates tied to the interim metrics and more information on ways to involve families in achieving growth targets.