Board reviews school report card, addresses math dip and intervention tools

District administrators reviewed the school report card and assessment changes with trustees, explaining how revised cut scores and weighting affected the district's reported performance and describing targeted instructional responses.

The presenter explained that the state changed cut scores on the Forward exam and that this year the district's report card used two years of data rather than a three-year trend. "Our overall score is 73, which is 'exceeds expectations'," the presenter said, then cautioned that methodological changes — including cut-score adjustments and changes to how economically disadvantaged rates affect weighting — complicate year-to-year comparisons.

Board members pressed for clarity on interventions and assessment tools. The presenter said the district hired a math coach, contracted with CESA 6 for item analysis and "heat maps," and would run diagnostic tools and targeted coaching cycles. Classroom staff described using IXL more intentionally: "I use it very intentionally to solidify a skill that we are honing in on at the time," one teacher said, noting live, short whole-class activities followed by targeted small-group work.

Trustees discussed balancing coaching, tiered interventions and avoiding overreliance on single digital platforms. The administration said it will continue data dives, expand diagnostic screening and report back on progress in future board meetings. No formal policy change was adopted; the board directed staff to continue implementing coaching and diagnostic strategies and to return with updates.