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Norwalk reports improved NextGen results; district index 73.9 vs. state 71.8, with gains in growth and graduation
Summary
Superintendent's NextGen accountability presentation showed Norwalk's accountability index rose to 73.9 (1,071.5 points), outpacing the state (71.8). The report highlighted ELA growth for high-needs students, a 92.6% 4-year graduation rate and schools of distinction recognitions.
Norwalk Public Schools presented its 2025 NextGen accountability results at the Nov. 18 Board of Education meeting, reporting an accountability index of 73.9 (1,071.5 of 1,450 possible points), compared with the statewide index of 71.8 (1,017 points).
Miss Filardo, who led the presentation, explained the NextGen framework and the 12 indicators (22 metrics) used to compute district and school scores, including achievement, growth, participation (95% minimum), chronic absenteeism, and postsecondary readiness measures. She said growth indicators carry significant weight and that Norwalk's high-needs students exceeded state performance on key ELA and math growth measures.
Key figures highlighted during the presentation included a 4-year graduation rate of 92.6% (target 94%), incremental growth in the past four years, and notable improvement for multilingual learners (MLL) whose outcomes rose from about 70% to nearly 79% on some measures. Filardo noted that some middle and high schools showed substantial percentage-point gains but that gaps in certain subjects (for example, Nathan Hale in math and West Rocks in science) prevented higher category placements for those schools.
Several schools were recognized as "schools of distinction" for high-needs growth; Jefferson, Fox Run and Marvin were among the schools the superintendent invited to the dais to describe practices that drove improvement, which included instructional coherence, targeted coaching, departmentalization in upper grades and community partnerships such as the Maritime Aquarium.
Board members praised district staff for the gains and asked for clarification about specific schools (Kendall and Silvermine), to which accountability staff said declines were primarily attributable to the growth indicator calculations. Filardo stressed the state-level nature of metrics and the availability of EdSight for public comparison.
The district indicated continued focus on closing remaining gaps and on refining measures that do not yet capture workforce credentials. The presentation concluded with a reminder that NextGen is an evolving system and that the district will continue to use the indicators to inform improvement planning.
