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Union Public Schools reports statewide-leading elementary math gains, board hears
Summary
District staff told the board that, compared with 2023, Union posted gains across third–eighth grade assessments and recorded the largest percentage‑point increase among the state's large districts in elementary math, which administrators attributed to districtwide instructional practices and targeted teacher supports.
Union Public Schools on Thursday reported gains in state assessments for elementary math and ELA, and district staff credited the improvements to systemwide instructional changes rather than demographic shifts.
"We had the highest percentage point increase in the large districts across the state," Doctor Nelson told the board as he reviewed the district's test results and statewide comparisons. He cautioned that direct year‑to‑year comparisons to 2024 are complicated because the state changed cut scores; the district compared 2025 results to 2023 instead.
The presentation said that most schools saw increases and that Union ranked about midrange when compared against 17 other large districts on the full distribution of gains and losses. Nelson pointed to several implementation factors that he said most likely produced the improvements: establishing clear learning targets, widespread use of common formative assessments, professional learning communities (including early release Fridays), stronger principal leadership and targeted interventions for students who had not mastered skills.
Nelson also credited district coaching and training: "Melissa Brown, our elementary math specialist, helped ensure that phase 1 training has occurred for all teachers through a thoughtful implementation," he said, describing school visits and professional development days used to support instructional planning.
Board members praised the succinct presentation and had no formal action on the item. The report was accepted as informational; no policy changes or budget approvals were requested at the meeting.
