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Board hears mixed ELA and math results and a low passing rate on new fifth-grade science test
Summary
District presenters reported middle-of-the-pack ELA and math rankings across region and county, and said the newly revamped fifth-grade science test produced a 19% passing rate; the board heard planned curriculum and alignment steps to address gaps.
District curriculum leaders presented spring assessment results for grades 3–8 and outlined instructional steps to address areas of concern. Megan summarized ELA results across six years (excluding disrupted 2020 and limited 2021 data), saying Sodus is generally in the middle of regional rankings and noting specific proficiency figures such as third-grade ELA at about 28% proficiency. “So third grade is at 28% proficient, and which put them 9 out of 11,” Megan said while showing comparative charts.
Presenters said math showed stronger results in some grades — fifth grade ranked in the top three in Wayne County — and that reporting for grade 8 includes combined algebra scorers. The meeting also covered science testing changes: the fifth-grade science exam was moved and substantially revised, and the district reported a 19% passing rate for fifth graders on the new assessment. “We had a 19 percent passing rate, in the fifth grade science,” a presenter stated, and staff described the new exam as longer and more reading-intensive than past versions.
To respond, administrators described tiered data meetings, prescriptive interventions, vertical alignment work done over the summer, and pilot adoptions (Eureka Math Squared and Benchmark Advance) to build foundational skills. Jackie outlined next steps including grade-level team meetings, a Friday tier-2 review process for flagged students, and targeted professional development to support implementation and student stamina for longer assessments.
Board members asked procedural questions about how the district will use sample items and released materials to adapt instruction and about expectations for year-over-year comparisons now that assessments have been revised. District staff said they will use released state materials and local curricular pilots to better align instruction and to track progress when comparable data become available next year.
