District holds steady in grades 3—8 assessments; state ACT results raise concerns for seniors
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Summary
Bellevue Public Schools reported NSCAS results showing the district above state averages in grades 3—8 (ELA 62%, math 60%, science 82%) but lower state-ACT proficiency for current seniors (ELA 34%, math 34%, science 44%); the administration outlined targeted interventions and test-prep supports.
The Bellevue Public Schools administration presented its annual assessment and accountability update and laid out next steps after mixed results across grades and tests.
Fran, who led the presentation, told the board the district performed above the state in grades 3—8 on NSCAS, reporting 62% proficiency in English language arts, 60% in math and 82% in science. "We are in the purple and came in at 62% for ELA, math at 60 and science is 82," she said, and noted those results were consistent with prior years.
Fran also reviewed ACT results. The graduate report (national ACT data for the cohort that graduated in May) showed Bellevue27s average composite at about 0.7 points below the state, and the administration cautioned that changes national ACT recently made to the test27s content and weighting could affect comparisons. The district27s state-administered ACT for current seniors (a one-day, four-hour administration required by Nebraska) yielded proficiency rates the administration described as below expectations: ELA 34%, math 34%, science 44%.
The district has implemented a range of interventions. Fran said administrators identified juniors and seniors "on the bubble" from a September practice ACT, are offering Saturday practice sessions beginning in February, made mastery-prep resources available through a state-provided platform and assigned targeted "Rising Stars" and "T Bird Flyers" programs for students near proficiency thresholds. She also described classroom-level practice (timed items, scantron practice, bell-ringers) and teacher professional development for ACT science.
Fran emphasized accountability context: district participation was high (reported at 99.5%), and school classifications under the state27s QUEST accountability system placed the district at "Good" for a second year, with several schools rated "Excellent" or bumped up because of strong growth or improved attendance.
Board members asked about connections to poverty and absenteeism; administrators acknowledged free/reduced-status correlates with performance and identified chronic absenteeism in some high schools as a notable factor.