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Westerly presents fall math screening data; superintendent highlights safety, absenteeism and phone policy
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Marrone shared fall K–8 math universal‑screening results showing mixed Tier 1 rates across grades; Superintendent Dr. Garceau reported on district safety planning with FBI input, rising chronic absenteeism and early results from a stricter cell‑phone policy in classrooms.
Westerly — At its Oct. 16 meeting the Westerly School Committee heard district assessment data and updates on safety and student engagement.
Assistant Superintendent Marrone described fall universal‑screening math results for grades K–8 as a "temperature check" the district runs three times a year. He reported that 37% of kindergarten students were in the Tier 1 range on the fall screening and that 42% of first‑grade students were in Tier 1; he also reported cohort figures of about 61% in Tier 1 for third grade and 75% for fourth grade. Marrone said those data are one of multiple measures the district will use and that the district aims to have Tier 1 percentages at or above 80% by the end of the school year. He said the district will share ALEKS screening data for middle and high school this winter.
Superintendent Dr. Garceau highlighted recent professional development and safety planning, including a regional presentation by FBI agent Mark LaFrance on behavioral indicators of potential school violence and the role of multidisciplinary threat‑assessment teams. "This collaboration with local and federal authorities and the hardening of our buildings... are about taking all steps that we can to ensure that we are providing safe teaching and learning environments," she said, adding that their approach is "about being prepared, not panicked."
Garceau also raised concern about chronic absenteeism, defined by the state as missing 10% or more of school days, saying absences rose markedly during the COVID years and can lead to students leaving school before graduation. Committee members asked about reactions to this year’s stricter cell‑phone policy; Garceau said staff have reported phones are "much less visible so far" in classrooms and emphasized the need for consistent enforcement across teachers.
What’s next: The district will continue periodic screening, report back on ALEKS results this winter and monitor implementation of attendance strategies and the phone policy.
