Greendale School District administrators presented an annual academic benchmarking report showing the district's state report-card score rose 4.3 points from the prior year. Presenter Speaker 13 said the increase reflects instruction and curricular work, while cautioning that the report-card comparisons use last year's student cohorts.

Speaker 13 reported that achievement rose in both ELA and math — calling out a +3.6 point increase in English language arts and a +10.5 point increase in math — and that the district is "a 3.7 away from being a 5 star district" under tougher cut scores. The presenter emphasized the district's focus on equitable growth, stating multiple demographic groups were outperforming typical statewide growth benchmarks.

Administrators acknowledged that growth overall was flat. Speaker 13 identified specific transition points where proficiency dips occur (notably between fourth and fifth grade, and fifth to sixth) and described targeted responses: data digs, small-group instruction, reteaching to mastery and professional learning communities. For third-grade reading, Speaker 11 highlighted progress in screening and on-track metrics: universal screening moved from 75% to 91% and the on-track-to-graduate domain increased from 72.1 to 85.2 for relevant submeasures.

Board members asked how statewide assessment changes (ACT composite/super scoring and removal/adjustment of some test components) will affect year-to-year comparisons. Presenters said the district will rely on proficiency indicators that remain comparable year to year and will monitor state guidance (the Department of Public Instruction is expected to convene task forces to guide implementation).

What happens next: administration will publish the full annual report and provide follow-up benchmarking data; the board asked staff to continue work addressing grade-to-grade dips and to share materials with families when available.