Fredonia presenters highlight reading gains at Wheelock and rising special-education needs

Administrators used the June 3 meeting to present student-achievement snapshots and program updates across buildings, beginning with Wheelock Early Childhood Center. Presenters said early-childhood assessments are administered one-on-one and highlighted literacy-focused instruction and the district's use of research-based screening tools.

Elementary iReady reading diagnostics showed growth across the year; presenters cited an example increase from 11% of students at or above grade level in the fall to 37% in the spring in one building, and reported that 66% of students met typical annual growth expectations while 41% reached stretch-growth targets. Local reading-fluency measures (words-per-minute) also showed improvement at grade 2, with a reduction in the lowest-performance band and gains at higher percentiles.

Presenters emphasized tiered instruction (Tier 1–3), targeted interventions (including small-group supports from a reading specialist), social-emotional screening (FastBridge/SABERS) and the district's work to keep students in-district rather than in higher-cost out-of-district placements. The Wheelock presentation highlighted early literacy assessments, frequent progress monitoring and classroom differentiation as reasons for observed gains.

District leaders also presented high-school Regents and AP results they described as above state averages in many subjects and showcased extracurricular and service-learning opportunities, support for Special Olympics participants, and support services for students experiencing homelessness and English-language learners.

Administrators said these program needs and mandates are part of the budget calculus that informed the proposed levy and personnel considerations; they plan to share slides publicly ahead of the June 17 revote.