Royal Oak Schools reports upward M-STEP math trend, trustees press for cohort analysis

The Royal Oak Schools Board on Jan. 8 reviewed student achievement data showing recent increases in M-STEP math proficiency and discussed next steps to sustain improvement.

Dr. Ioannis, speaking at the curriculum and instruction segment, said the district is seeing an upward trend in M-STEP math scores toward pre-pandemic levels and highlighted targeted instructional practices, such as small-group instruction in elementary grades and building-thinking classrooms at the secondary level. He noted the district is in year three of a new K–12 math curriculum and said it can take several years to fully see the impact of curricular changes.

Trustee Mary Anne Van Heitzman and others pressed for cohort analysis and cautioned that year-to-year cohort changes can mask performance gaps. The superintendent said the district performs in the middle of Oakland County peers and emphasized the need to examine both cohort and grade-level baselines. Trustees called for using interim data and targeted interventions to address observed dips in certain grades.

Dr. Ioannis also announced a kindergarten information night on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at all six elementary buildings and said the district plans consistent classroom-visit opportunities for incoming families.

The board discussed the second reading of Policy 8300 and Policy 8305 (continuity of operations and information security), which included added cybersecurity language; the board approved the second reading as presented.

The board emphasized that M-STEP and SAT scores are public markers the community will use to compare districts and said the district will keep working on instruction and interim assessments to improve outcomes.