Middle school and Jackson Avenue showcase data, new grading ‘scoreboards’ and AI in Genius Hour

Mineola Union Free School District principals and teachers on Sept. 19 presented building-level data and instructional changes designed to make student progress more visible and to strengthen targeted interventions.

At Mineola Middle School, Principal Amy Trojanowski and her team described implementation of a learner playbook, proficiency scales and "scoreboards" that map student work to grade outcomes. Trojanowski said the school’s NWEA and state-exam results "exceed the norms" in reading and show substantial growth in math; she also reported a 100% passing rate for the Algebra I Regents, with the majority achieving mastery ("85 or above"). The middle school presenters credited targeted EdTech (Lexia, MobyMax), conferencing practices, and an MTSS tiered-support system with helping students advance one to two tiers in reading and math in many cases.

"As you can see from the photo, Dr. Nagler had his own bubble entrance on Superintendents Conference Day," Trojanowski said as she opened the presentation, and she described how the district is scaling the playbook and portfolio approach so learners can "reflect and set goals." Assistant Dean and instructional leaders detailed how scoreboards create transparency — showing exactly "how you earn the grade" — and how the school has piloted competency-based reporting for grades 5–7 to align teacher feedback, portfolios and student self-assessment.

Jackson Avenue staff followed with a building presentation that emphasized strength-based progress monitoring and the introduction of easyCBM as a normed progress monitor. The Jackson Avenue team reported that many third- and fourth-grade subgroups made measurable gains from fall to spring; they described AIS exit percentages (for example, 28% of intensive tier‑3 readers in grade 3 exited tier 3; 44% exited in grade 4), and said more than 80% of students were in tier 1 on certain reading measures after interventions. The presenters also described a Genius Hour program now using two AI tools (an "information explainer" and a "creative companion") to help students research and brainstorm, with students required to paraphrase and synthesize AI‑generated information rather than rely on it.

Both teams discussed family-facing work: monthly evidence folders or unit letters that go home, and design work on an eSchool progress report that places expected trimester goals alongside current student levels. Jackson Avenue staff announced a family university on Nov. 20 to introduce parents to the progress-reporting tools.

Board members and parents asked about assessment comparability, opt‑out rates and how EdTech data complements classroom assessments. Presenters said NWEA is administered three times per year and easyCBM provides diagnostic fluency checks (one‑to‑one for fluency, whole-group for comprehension) and that EdTech data is intended to inform, not replace, teacher instruction.

The presentations closed with praise from trustees for the district’s focus on the whole child and for making grading and student progress more transparent to families.