District presents midyear assessment results and plans to strengthen teacher leadership
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Summary
Dr. Jill Weber told the Douglas County SD 4 board the district’s ‘‘through line’’—leader practice to teacher learning to student learning—shows early midyear gains in formative assessments; speakers described CKLA adoption, DIBELS/iReady/MAP use, and steps to protect instructional time and support teachers.
Dr. Jill Weber presented the board with the district’s midyear formative-assessment results and an overview of leadership-development work intended to align instruction across Douglas County SD 4. "Tonight is about a reflection of our leadership actions, the strengthening of our instruction, and the growth of our students," Weber said, explaining the district’s "through line" connecting leader practice, teacher learning and student learning.
The presentation emphasized three formative systems the district uses: DIBELS for K–5 reading, iReady for elementary math and MAP for grades 6–12. Weber said formative checks occur three times per year and provide teachers with actionable feedback. She told the board the midyear snapshot (12–14 weeks into the school year) shows measurable growth in several grades: presenters cited middle- and high-school MAP growth percentiles often above the 50th percentile and highlighted examples of growth in the 60s.
Board members and presenters stressed how teacher learning and observation structures—"studio" days, learning walks and instructional leadership teams—support that growth. Weber described studio and learning-walk routines and said studios for math happen three times per year for participating teachers; elementary studios are half-day sessions while secondary studio work is full-day. "If teacher practice does not change, we cannot expect student learning," Weber said.
On curriculum, presenters noted the district adopted Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) for K–5 and reported early positive classroom responses. For elementary math, the district increased instructional time to 75 minutes per day (up from about 60 minutes) and reported movement at benchmark levels in iReady: presenters said roughly 13% of students were at benchmark in fall and the midyear figure moved into the low 30s, with a substantial group still targeted for additional supports.
Superintendent (speaker 2) and other board members framed the data against national benchmarks and pushed back on broad characterizations that rank the district near the bottom statewide; presenters urged attention to growth percentiles rather than single-rank claims. The district said it will use end-of-year assessments (window closes in May) as a clearer baseline for next-year growth targets.
Presenters also noted near-term staffing changes: Weber is scheduled to retire and the district expects to hire a new Teaching & Learning director and a director of student services; leaders said continuity and board support will be important for sustaining implementation. The presentation concluded with presenters asking the board for ongoing support of the structures and budgets that underpin teacher leadership and targeted instruction.