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Pasco presents midyear Opportunity Schools progress; district says several are on track to exit oversight
Summary
Deputy superintendent and Dr. Rafalski reported midyear results for Opportunity Schools, citing improved PM2 data, targeted small-group instruction, and school-level examples of gains; district said several schools could exit state BSI oversight if median growth continues.
District leadership presented a midyear update on Opportunity Schools, outlining a coordinated, data-driven strategy the district calls the Opportunity Schools Compass. Dr. Rafalski described work to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, expand small-group supports, standardize monitoring through a new walkthrough platform, and use multiple data sources (PM1, PM2, NWEA MAP, i‑Ready) to target interventions.
Officials told the board that, based on preliminary PM2 year-over-year metrics and other trend data, all Opportunity Schools showed growth in at least one grade level and that several schools are on track to exit state BSI oversight if current median growth persists. He highlighted school-by-school examples: Chester Taylor Elementary’s high growth and mentor matching, Fox Hollow Elementary’s Ignite Reading implementation that cut below-level grade‑1 readers in half in the first semester, and Gulf Highlands Elementary’s new community food pantry supporting families while showing promising science indicators.
Rafalski emphasized that progress depends on sustained, prescriptive supports at the school level, including targeted small-group instruction, tutoring, coaching, and student-level mentoring. Board members praised the work and thanked school staff for the improvements; district staff said weekly walkthroughs, feedback cycles and calibrated planning will guide next steps through the spring.
The presentation concluded with a call to maintain focus and monitor progress toward year-end targets; district staff will continue to report data and calibrate supports as the community moves toward potential BSI exit decisions.
