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District report shows literacy gains for early grades, dips in middle school; new diagnostics to follow
Summary
Director of Teaching and Learning Laura Stebner told the board that K–1 FastBridge reading proficiency rose to 62% while grades 2–8 FastBridge and some MCA cohorts dipped; the district plans diagnostic assessments and state-mandated reading training to address middle‑school declines.
Laura Stebner, the district's director of teaching and learning, presented the 2024 summary of district goals for literacy, graduation and teacher representation, and answered board questions about trends and interventions. "Our goal when we set out for this 3 year goal was to increase from 54.2% proficiency in 2023 to 70% in 2026," she said, and walked the board through cohort graphs and FastBridge results.
Stebner highlighted growth in kindergarten and first grade FastBridge results (62% proficiency against a 70% goal), and noted a dip in MCA-related proficiency for some middle-school cohorts. She said FastBridge for grades 2–8 showed 62.4% proficiency in the most recent spring data (down from 67% at goal baseline). Stebner described the district's plan to use newly available diagnostic assessments (CAPT read basics in January) to identify specific deficits for students in grades 4–12 and tailor interventions, noting that the state also requires families be informed when students read below grade level.
On graduation and postsecondary readiness, Stebner reported a rise in the four‑year graduation rate (from 91.5% to 92.8%) and improvements for students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and students of color, though not all subgroup targets were met. She discussed teacher representation goals: certified staff of color rose to 2.9% from 1.8% baseline but remain below the three‑year target.
Board members pressed for clarity on how subgroup percentages are calculated and whether combined goals (free/reduced and students of color) are realistic; Stebner said the district will reset achievement and integration goals and continue implementation support for the new middle-school reading curriculum. She cited state-mandated "science of reading" training for middle-school teachers with required completion by June 2027 as part of the district's approach.
Stebner closed by recommending a deeper data dive at the next work session and offering to provide subgroup counts and additional breakdowns requested by board members.
