District dashboard shows gains for some student groups; new MCAS K–2 screener finds 51% at benchmark

District staff presented two data-focused items on Nov. 20: the 2025 California School Dashboard results and the district’s beginning-of-year MCAS (DIBELS eighth edition) literacy screener for kindergarten through grade 2.

On the Dashboard, staff reported steady district-wide performance with notable improvements for certain student groups: foster youth and socioeconomically disadvantaged students improved in English language arts and mathematics, and suspension rates declined district-wide. Staff emphasized chronic absenteeism and college-and-career readiness as continued areas of focus. Trustees asked about site-specific reporting, including data for Matt Garcia (state display suppressed because of small counts), and requested access to the underlying data where possible.

On early literacy, the district implemented MCAS to meet SB 114 / Ed Code 53008 requirements for a K–2 reading screener. The beginning-of-year results showed 51% of district K–2 students at or above benchmark, 14% below benchmark, and 35% well below benchmark. Staff described tiered interventions and support: targeted small-group instruction, bilingual staff and literacy specialists deployed to higher-need sites, and ongoing progress monitoring. The district set end-of-year targets aiming for 80% of kindergarteners, 90% of first graders, and 100% of second graders to be at or above grade level, and noted these are ambitious goals that will guide instruction and intervention decisions.

Trustees and staff agreed to continue monitoring progress, report back on site-level implementation, and consider additional board discussion as data become available.