Dodd Middle School shifts all students to accelerated math; district reports double‑digit gains

Dodd Middle School leaders told the Cheshire Board of Education on Nov. 3 that a district-wide change to middle-school math instruction — moving all students onto an accelerated pathway and embedding a daily intervention block — has produced substantial gains in student performance.

Marlene (Dodd principal) said the effort began after teachers and administrators listened to students who reported low confidence in math and reviewed achievement data. "They said, 'we are dumb,'" Marlene told the board, summarizing students' earlier feelings about math. "That was a real loud and clear message, and there was a great sense of urgency when we really stopped and listened to our kiddos."

The change…