Board presses for data on proposed fifth‑grade reading goal; asks superintendent for authoritative follow‑up

Board members on Oct. 8 pressed district staff for specific data behind a proposed one‑year reading proficiency goal tied to fifth‑grade students and asked that authoritative answers be provided by Superintendent Dr. Joyner’s office.

A board member asked, “What percentage of this fifth grade population is MLL? I know 14 is the overall for the district. Do we know the specific percent for this grade?” The transcript shows a request for the percent and total number of fifth‑grade students, and whether the stated 12% baseline applied to last year’s fourth graders or last year’s fifth graders. Jordan and staff acknowledged they did not have all of those disaggregations on hand and said they would capture the questions for follow‑up.

Board members also asked whether a two‑percentage‑point target increase (for example, moving from 12% to 14%) is outside sampling or measurement margins of error and requested historical context on recent year‑to‑year variability before adopting a numerical short‑term target.

Rodney Jordan recommended that the board submit the specific data questions to Superintendent Dr. Joyner and the district team so staff can respond with source files and links (for example, iReady or end‑of‑year testing data). Jordan told the board the district will provide clarifying material and that staff responses should be the authoritative source on counts and methodology.

Next steps: board members were asked to forward specific questions to Dr. Joyner’s office; district staff will return disaggregated data and links to source analyses for board review. The discussion did not produce a vote; it was a request for staff follow‑up before the board finalizes numerical short‑term goals.