Pittsburgh Public Schools reports mixed progress toward third-grade reading goal, urges more coaches and formal observations

Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters told the Pittsburgh Public Schools Education Committee on March 12 that district assessments show modest midyear gains for some groups of third graders but declines for others as the district continues toward a goal of 49.4% third-grade English language arts (ELA) proficiency on the state PSSA by the end of the 2024–25 school year.

Walters said the district uses two primary interim measures — the Classroom Diagnostic Tool (CDT) and DIBELS Acadience — to track foundational reading skills and to identify students who need concentrated support. "Third grade is an important milestone because it is a time when students move from learning to read to reading to learn," Walters said, adding that the district is focused on closing gaps for African American students, English learners, economically disadvantaged students and students with IEPs.

The district reported that after the first CDT administration only about 21% of first-time test takers were at or above grade level; the second administration rose to about 30.3% (reported in presentation materials as ~30.3–30.4%). Using CDT categories aligned to the PSSA, Walters said roughly 15.2% of students were classified as likely proficient or advanced on the second CDT administration, percentages that he said have remained similar to recent years.

DIBELS Acadience…