Board hears update on SABERS student screener pilot and data storage plans
Summary
Administrators told the board the SABERS screener pilot (student and teacher components) is underway for grades 6–12 with planned K–5 pilots; data will be stored in EduCLIMBER and parental permission was sought. Board members questioned workload and grade coverage.
Administration updated the Sycamore CUSD 427 board on a pilot of the SABERS student perception screener and related teacher assessments.
Staff explained SABERS has two parts: a student self‑assessment (mySABERS) and a teacher version. The district is piloting the instrument for grades 6–12 and expects to trial it in selected K–5 classrooms beginning in January; the board goal referenced grades 3–12. Administration told trustees it sought parental permission for students who will take the screener and said collected data are being kept in the district’s MTSS software, EduCLIMBER, rather than being stored in the student information system.
Trustees raised practical questions about who completes the teacher portion, how much time teachers will need to complete it and whether sub coverage or formal board approval is necessary for time spent. Administration described the effort as informational at this stage and part of planning for future years; the pilot will help determine time requirements and grade‑level rollout. Trustees also praised consolidation of overlapping AI and instructional tools and encouraged staff to monitor teacher workload as the district pilots the screener.
Administration said one deliverable of the pilot work is a clearer understanding of time burden and a recommendation about appropriate grade levels to include in the long term board goal. No formal action or vote was taken during the discussion.
