Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Matthews County reviews test and screening data; officials outline interventions and MTSS approach
Summary
Superintendent presented state accreditation context, SOL/pass rates and fall STAR/VALS screening results. Elementary combined rates were reported around mid‑80s in English and math; middle schools showed significant growth in key areas. Officials described MTSS interventions, universal screening, remediation letters and more targeted supports.
At the Oct. 15 business meeting the superintendent presented an overview of student achievement data and the division’s early‑screening work, drawing a distinction between state accreditation and federal accountability while outlining next steps for remediation and curriculum alignment.
The presentation explained that under Virginia’s evolving system accreditation will focus on input and operational metrics while accountability will track learning outcomes. The superintendent reviewed current pass/growth figures: elementary combined English was about 86% and math about 87% on the measures discussed; Thomas Hunter Middle School showed notable year‑to‑year growth (English from roughly 69% to 88%, math from about 63% to 74%). At the high school level, math remains a challenge (pass rates cited near 62%).
Staff described the division’s recent adoption of universal screening (STAR through Renaissance) to provide regular snapshots three times a year and the shift in STAR’s national norms that required recalibration of local benchmarks. The presentation also outlined the division’s multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) and the intention to use diagnostic data and CIP (a regional instructional consortium) benchmark resources to better align instruction and identify students for intervention or enrichment.
Officials said remediation efforts have already begun: remediation letters are being sent, teachers are contacting families, and targeted after‑school or in‑school interventions are being organized. The superintendent noted chronic absenteeism remains a concern—elementary absenteeism rose significantly compared with last year and the high school also saw an increase—factors that will shape next steps.
Board members and teachers asked detailed questions about item‑level test design and supports for English language learners; a first‑grade teacher described concerns about early test administration logistics and young students’ unfamiliarity with computerized assessments. The superintendent said principals and teachers are working at grade‑level teams, and regional professional development and CIP resources will supplement local capacity.
"At the elementary school ... English 86%, math 87%," the presenter said, summarizing the combined-rate snapshot and emphasizing the diagnostic uses of the STAR data for planning interventions and enrichment.
The board asked for continued detail and follow‑up; Superintendent’s office staff agreed to provide board members with the screening tables and to continue progress reporting in upcoming work sessions.
