District presenters say North Platte Public Schools proficiency rose, district at 54%; officials cite instructional changes
Summary
District staff presented 2024–25 Aquest and ACT results showing a 54% overall proficiency rate and multi‑year growth tied to new instructional materials, professional learning communities and targeted subgroup work. Officials said the district aims for 60% to reach the next classification level.
North Platte Public Schools officials told the board Dec. 8 that the district’s 2024–25 state accountability results show measurable gains but fall short of the 60% proficiency threshold for the state’s next classification.
District presenters, introduced to the board as Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Carlson, said the districtwide proficiency across tested grades 3–11 was 54%. They showed trend data that, they said, represents a roughly 12‑percentage‑point increase in overall proficiency since 2021–22 and highlighted growth in math, ELA and science on ACT and NSCAS measures.
Superintendent Dr. Rhodes framed the results as the outcome of multiple district strategies. He said the district’s strategic plan emphasizes instructional materials, professional learning communities and building‑level site plans. “Our main focus really remains on ourselves, and we really wanted to just focus on us and how we are doing and we really wanted to keep the growth going,” Rhodes said.
Presenters told trustees that subgroup designations carried targeted grant funding and professional development (including paraeducator training) to address chronic absenteeism and English‑learner proficiency — factors the state weights in its Aquest accountability calculations.
Board members praised the trend data but urged continued attention to subgroup performance and the district’s strategy to reach the 60% proficiency mark required for a Level 3 classification. The presenters said the district will meet with the Nebraska Department of Education after the new year to refine goals and track projections under recently updated state classification rules.
The presentation and supporting slides will be posted on the Nebraska Education Profile and on the district website, officials said. The district also plans to use the data to guide building‑level improvement plans and targeted interventions for lower‑performing subgroups.
Next steps: district staff said they will continue to monitor subgroup results, report back on any state discussions about the new classification calculations, and use state and local data to set measurable goals for the 2026–27 school year.
