Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum And Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District leaders report PLC progress, targeted assessments and gains in math and ELA
Summary
The district presented year-two implementation of professional learning communities, assessment strategies and preliminary gains in math and some ELA cohorts; officials also discussed the shift to computer-based state testing.
District curriculum leaders reported on progress implementing professional learning communities (PLCs), assessment practices and early signs of improvement in state assessments for several grade levels.
Dr. Corey, speaking for curriculum and instruction, said the district is in year two of a multi-year PLC effort. The work began with a focus on math at the elementary level and is expanding into additional subject areas. The PLC approach asks teachers to narrow instructional focus, write common formative assessments, analyze results and form WIN (What I Need) groups to target instruction.
District staff reported improvements in several assessment cohorts and cited math as showing more "promising results" where PLC work is mature. Dr. Corey said 4th, 6th and 8th grade cohorts showed gains in English language arts in the most recent report, and the 4th grade continued to be a strong performer in math. Officials cautioned that year-to-year testing comparisons are complicated by changes after COVID and a statewide shift to computer-based testing (CBT) that can produce implementation dips.
Dr. Corey said the district has two Solution Tree coaches supporting the work, a district guiding coalition and a curriculum site that houses agendas and resources. The district also noted expansion of early-literacy work informed by the science of reading and programs such as Foundations and Wit & Wisdom.
On state testing, officials said the move to CBT is now broader and that the district is taking steps to prepare students to avoid an implementation-related score dip. Administrators said some cohorts have made longitudinal gains and that the district ranks well among comparable small cities in several grade-level measures.
No formal policy changes were proposed; district leaders asked the board to continue supporting time for teacher collaboration and the targeted use of grant funds, SEL liaisons, extended-day programming and interventions that align with PLC work.
Quotes: "We're in year 2...the focus is around assessment" and "Math's a little more concrete — we're seeing some incredible things in the classrooms."
