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Phoenix Union adopts interim ACT/NWEA progress-monitoring goals, sets calendar to track fall–spring benchmarks
Summary
The Phoenix Union board on Oct. 2 adopted interim goals using NWEA MAP benchmarks that aim, for example, to increase the share of 11th-grade students scoring 19+ on the ACT reading to 25%; the board also approved a draft progress-monitoring calendar and asked staff to report back on data collection and community input.
The Phoenix Union High School District governing board adopted a package of interim goals and a progress-monitoring calendar on Oct. 2 aimed at tracking year-long progress toward board-set ACT targets.
District presenters explained the proposed interim goals are SMART-format checkpoints based primarily on NWEA MAP interim benchmarks. For reading, the recommended target tied to board goal 2 is that 25% of eleventh-grade students (class of 2027) score 19 or higher on the ACT reading; the district used NWEA-derived RIT score targets for fall, winter and spring testing cycles to predict whether students are on track.
"Our target is the 25% for reading," said Mr. Camp, a district presenter, explaining that last year's proficiency rate was 23% and that interim goals are designed to measure incremental growth during the year. The math goal similarly sets a proficiency target of 16% of eleventh graders scoring 19+ on the ACT math and links interim targets to NWEA RIT scores for each grade band.
Why it matters: The interim goals and calendar create recurring data points the board and public can use to monitor whether instruction and interventions are moving students toward long-term targets. The district framed the current year as a "practice" year to test the monitoring system and refine guardrails.
Board action: Representative Marquez moved to approve item 7a (the interim goals and progress-monitoring calendar). After discussion, the board adopted the package by roll call; board member Cota voted no, expressing that the 25% proficiency target was too low, and the motion carried with the remaining members voting aye.
Implementation and next steps: Staff will administer NWEA benchmarking in fall, winter and spring and report progress to the board; the district said it will present more detailed campus-level and subgroup data and continue community listening sessions to gather feedback on the goals and calendar.
Quote: "These are a way to predict and make adjustments so our students are going to meet or exceed that goal," Mr. Camp said, describing the use of NWEA as an interim measure.
Provenance: Presentation and vote recorded in the Oct. 2 public meeting; the board asked staff to return with more refined data and to continue community input.
