Kennett reports ACCESS gains for English learners; committee recommends two new high-school courses

Kennett Consolidated School District presented English-language-development (ELD) ACCESS test results and previewed two new high-school curriculum proposals at the Feb. 2 Curriculum Committee meeting.

Brenna Austin, the district's ELD supervisor, reported that last year the district averaged around a 3 on the ACCESS (scale 0—6) and noted strong cohort growth in grades three and four. Austin said 83 students exited ELD services last year, 33 more than the prior year, and credited instructional changes such as push-in co-teaching and a professional-development partnership that enabled teachers to obtain ESL certification. She cautioned that a new ACCESS test version this year could reset comparisons.

Curriculum update: staff demonstrated the ATLAS curriculum-mapping platform and presented two course proposals for the high school: an 11th-12th-grade dual-enrollment astronomy course (semester, elective, dual credit through Delaware County Community College) and Kennett Future Ready, a year-long capstone experience that combines internships, projects and a public showcase. Staff said prerequisites and enrollment criteria are documented in the district's educational planning guide; the astronomy course will be offered as an elective dual-enrollment option that does not substitute for core science credit.

Committee reaction and next steps: committee members praised the curriculum maps and asked that course prerequisites and scheduling be clearly posted for families. The committee recommended forwarding the course approvals to the board for consideration on Feb. 9. Austin and curriculum staff will return with full documentation and post the ELD and counseling materials as required for public review.