District reports steady advanced-course enrollments; AP pass rate rises to 58% as FastBridge expands for K–6

Doctor Matthews told the Council Bluffs Comm School District board that advanced-course participation remained high in 2024–25, with a total course count near 3,826 and an all-time high AP pass rate of 58%.

"This year, we're right at 3,826 for the 2024–25 school year," Matthews said, noting the district balanced AP and concurrent-enrollment offerings. She said total AP exams taken increased from 197 to 210, and the district recognized 15 AP Scholar awards this year.

The superintendent's team highlighted concurrent-enrollment growth as a key long-term benefit for students. Matthews reported students earned 9,805 concurrent-enrollment college credits last year — nearly 10,000 credits students did not have to pay for — and said the district had vetted four new teachers to teach concurrent courses, including additional science offerings at both high schools.

"We were really steady… this year we're right at 3,826," Matthews said, and emphasized that concurrent-enrollment credits are awarded directly by partnering colleges such as Iowa Western Community College and DMACC.

Board members asked whether concurrent-enrollment credit transfers beyond the region. Matthews said CE credits are accepted at Iowa Western and “the majority of Iowa schools,” and prerequisites vary by course and partner institution. She also said the district offers more than 40 concurrent-enrollment courses taught by district-certified teachers, with additional options online or on college campuses.

The board also heard a presentation on FastBridge, a Department of Education–approved screener and progress-monitoring suite the district will use for kindergarten ELA and math. Matthews said FastBridge will replace MAP growth for kindergarten (not add additional testing for that grade) and will be optional for grades 1–6, where MAP remains in use.

"FastBridge gives actionable reports that lead directly to an intervention," Matthews said, describing dual assessment elements (curriculum-based measures plus adaptive tests) and two-week progress monitoring for students receiving targeted supports.

Board Chair noted the financial benefits of expanded college-credit attainment: "That's over $2,000,000 that we've saved our community, our students," he said, describing the district’s concurrent-enrollment savings.

What’s next: the district will continue to monitor FastBridge implementation, collect feedback from schools, and report back to the board on screening outcomes and progress-monitoring data.