Geary County Schools presents district academic review; math and science show modest gains

Geary County Schools teaching-and-learning staff presented district assessment results and accountability metrics to the board, detailing where the district stands relative to statewide averages and describing next-year priorities.

Nut graf: The district reported that approximately 34% of students scored at the state’s proficiency levels (3 or 4) across core assessments in 2023–24, a rate slightly above the Kansas state average. Staff said math and science show the most steady improvement and outlined plans to refine assessment usage, expand professional learning communities and pursue structured-literacy work to address persistent ELA performance gaps.

Key points - District performance: The district’s percentage of students scoring at levels 3 and 4 was reported as 34.15% overall; the state rate for the same measure was 33.55%. - Subject trends: Staff presenters said math and science showed measurable increases; ELA (reading/language arts) remains a focus area with statewide depressed scores prompting the district to emphasize structured-literacy professional development. - Grade-level patterns: Elementary schools generally outperformed secondary schools; district leaders attributed declines through secondary grades to student mobility, teacher turnover and course-taking patterns at the high school level. - Accountability and cut scores: The district will reapply to the Kansas STAR rubrics and is preparing for new state cut-score settings after current assessments complete; outcome reporting to the board will lag until state cut scores are finalized and posted next fall.

Direct reporting and quotes Alicia, a teaching-and-learning presenter, summarized the district view: "Overall for the district, we were at a 34.15 with threes and 4 percentages in a total district view. The state's percentage was 33.55." She added that math gains appear linked to curriculum alignment executed since 2019.

Board members pressed about high-school results and cohort graduation calculations. District staff explained the graduation rate is a four-year cohort measure that tracks a group from ninth grade; staff noted transient populations, homeschooling and students returning credit-deficient can all affect cohort calculations and that the district is discussing potential legislative advocacy on reporting rules.

Planned next steps District leaders said they will: continue balanced-assessment work to reduce overtesting, expand professional learning communities focused on using interim data to drive instruction, apply for STAR rubric recognition (due May 2), and continue structured-literacy professional development to address ELA performance.