Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Achievement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RSU 04 administrators present NWEA results and flag chronic absenteeism as key challenge
Summary
Administrators and principals reviewed multi-year NWEA cohort data, explained norm changes and growth-goal interpretation, and said chronic absenteeism (about 32% last year) and inconsistent staffing are major challenges shaping literacy and math interventions across elementary, middle and high schools.
At a regularly scheduled meeting, RSU 04 administrators presented a multi-school data packet showing cohort-level NWEA results, growth-goal percentages and attendance metrics. Shelley (administrator leading the presentation) cautioned that NWEA norms changed this fall and emphasized that the percent meeting growth goals reflects expected growth set by NWEA, not by the district.
Administrators and principals described instructional responses to the data. At the elementary level, Libby Tozier staff noted kindergarten testing limitations and emphasized literacy supports (phonological awareness, decoding, comprehension) and data-driven grouping. Carrie Rickers principal said reading growth improved year-to-year, while math growth remains a challenge in grades 3 and 4; the school is using PLGs, coaching and family-engagement events such as math night to build skills.
Oak Hill Middle School described a WIN time block (intervention and enrichment) and refined RTI processes that move data and students between groups every six weeks. Oak Hill High School highlighted fall testing, Lexile tracking and engagement strategies (interventions like Membean) and noted that high-school testing cycles and credit structures affect how and when growth is seen.
Shelley highlighted attendance data: average daily attendance appears acceptable but chronic absenteeism (students missing 10% or more of days) was about 32% in the most recent year, which she and the principals said is a key driver affecting achievement. Administrators discussed state initiatives and school-level efforts to improve attendance and cited staffing stability as another important factor.
The presentation included next steps: continued curriculum review (literacy), targeted interventions, ongoing coaching, data rounds to reconfigure groups, and follow-up at the boards December meeting on budget and data priorities.
