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District presents MTSS interventions and improved benchmark scores; ELA adoption process set for winter
Summary
USD 231 staff reviewed MTSS-based interventions across elementary, middle and high schools and reported FastBridge benchmark gains for incoming ninth- and tenth-graders; the district plans an ELA resource adoption process with a recommendation expected in the second semester.
District curriculum and assessment staff used the Oct. 13 board meeting to explain how the district is aligning multi-tiered supports with assessment data and curriculum-adoption plans.
Jason Jones, the district coordinator for curriculum and professional development, gave an overview of MTSS as a district framework that uses screening, progress monitoring and targeted interventions to identify and support students who are struggling (Jason Jones, SEG 601–624). Staff presentations from Sunflower Elementary (Rhonda Wheedle), Grand Star Elementary (Melissa Ollielere and Matt Jordan), Trail Ridge Middle School, and Gardner Edgerton High School (Beth Bird) described site-specific practices including FastBridge screening, small pull-out groups, "walk-to" models for intervention, tiered reading blocks and data-driven regrouping that adjusts weekly based on progress monitoring.
Ed Services presented recently released Kansas state assessment results and emphasized using multiple measures—state assessments, FastBridge screeners, common formative assessments and teacher observations—to guide instruction. Presenters noted a change in state cut scores and called the level-3 cut score of 540 an important benchmark for district targets. Staff reported that ninth-grade FastBridge benchmark rates rose from 56% last year to 64% for the current cohort, and tenth grade improved from 56% to 62% after curriculum and intervention work.
The district announced a three-phase ELA resource-adoption process: plan and selection committee calibration, study and short-listing, and public review with a recommendation to the board in the second semester and a February vote targeted. Staff said they will prioritize ELA resourcing this school year and move mathematics adoption in 2026–27.
Trustees asked for school-level breakdowns and comparisons with other Johnson County districts; staff said some peer-district data are not publicly available but offered to convene a work session and provide additional local comparisons.
