Middle school outlines reading and math targets, rolls out Beanstack for independent reading

Lisa Wilberg, principal of Weisberg Middle School, told the Wiseburn Board that beginning‑of‑year iReady diagnostics show nearly 40% of students arriving at or above grade level in reading, a band of students approaching grade level (24%), and a notable cohort two or more grade levels behind. Wilberg said the school aims to test at least 90% of students and "by the end of the year, move 10% of the students from that those red categories from 2 grade levels or below, into the yellow."

To preserve independent reading while using iReady, the school is piloting Beanstack, a student reading‑log platform akin to a youth version of Goodreads. Wilberg reported Beanstack set a yearly goal of 100,000 minutes and that the middle school had already logged about 31,000 minutes with 54% student participation; the Trailblazer goal is 75% participation. Wilberg described weekly schedules to embed iReady practice (math focus on Mondays, reading Wednesdays) and teacher practice such as cross‑curricular essential‑standards work and "data chats" in which students review performance and set personal goals.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about test windows and how absences affect the ability to reach testing goals; Wilberg said make‑ups occur within a testing window but noted a small number of students may miss the entire window because of extended absence. Board members and staff signaled interest in follow‑up presentations with grade‑level breakdowns at the next semester update.