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Monticello schools report mixed literacy results, rising graduation rates
Summary
Director Laura Stebner told the board the district’s K–12 literacy target (70% by 2026) is not yet met; FastBridge early-reading scores rose in K–1, some middle-school cohorts dipped, and four-year graduation rates increased to 92.8% (2024).
Laura Stebner, the district's director of teaching and learning, presented a comprehensive summary of 2024 academic and readiness data to the board on Nov. 17.
Stebner said the district set a K–12 literacy goal to reach 70% proficiency by 2026. She noted gains among early elementary students: K–1 FastBridge early reading proficiency reached about 62%, up from prior years but short of the 70% target. For grades 2–8 FastBridge reading, proficiency declined to 62.4% at the end of the most recent school year from 67% at the start of the goal cycle. Stebner explained cohort graphs showing some upward trajectories (notably current sixth graders) while some middle-school cohorts experienced dips.
Stebner also reviewed subgroup performance: the district's target for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and for students of color was 50% proficiency; actual results were 38.4% for students eligible for free/reduced meals and 37.4% for students of color. She told the board these goals were set by prior leadership and reflected a three-year planning horizon; board members pressed for clarity on how target groups are defined and whether having the same percentage target is realistic given differing baselines.
On graduation and readiness, Stebner said the district's four‑year graduation rate rose from 91.5% (2023) to 92.8% and noted that subgroup graduation rates for students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and students of color were approaching the 85% target; 2025 final graduation data will be available in January. She also reviewed attendance tracking (internal consistent-attendance measures above 90%) and career/college-access goals, which have shown mixed participation gains for targeted student groups.
Stebner described the district's teacher representation goal to increase certified staff of color by 1% per year; the baseline in 2023 was 1.8% certified staff of color vs. 18.8% students of color, and the district reported growth to 2.9% (below a 3.8% target for the year). Board members discussed recruitment strategies and the connection between teacher diversity and student engagement.
Stebner closed by noting upcoming work sessions that will dig deeper into data and implementation strategies; the board thanked her for the briefing and asked for further breakdowns by student counts and subgroup participation in future reports.
