Board approves district strategic-renewal update after debate over math and I-Ready

Rockford School Board members on April 14 approved the district’s annual update to its five‑year strategic renewal plan and agreed to forward the update to the state as required. The vote to approve the update was unanimous, 7–0.

Executive Director of Elementary Education Dr. Katie Barber and Executive Director of Secondary Education Alicia Johnson presented the year‑2 progress report, citing 2025 SC Ready results for grades 3–8 and end‑of-course results for high school. The presenters said the district exceeded projections in some ELA grade bands, saw mixed results on high‑school course exams and did not meet math projections overall in 2025. The report also outlined climate‑survey results, graduation-rate goals (a 2029 target of 95 percent on‑time graduation) and teacher/administrator quality metrics.

Board members focused questions on the documented dropoff in math achievement that appears after third grade. One board member asked whether question‑level results are available so the district can target specific weaknesses. Staff said they can provide the survey questions and agreed to provide additional data where practicable.

Board members also raised concerns about the district’s use of I‑Ready. Several members asked whether the district is legally or contractually bound to continue with I‑Ready and whether it remains the best option given national criticism. Staff clarified that I‑Ready was adopted as the elementary and secondary math textbook adoption (high‑quality instructional material) and that the district currently uses MAP (NWEA) as its formative assessment; the district will decide on its district‑approved formative assessment tool going forward. The presenters emphasized that materials alone will not fix math performance and pointed to teacher quality and fidelity of implementation as central to improvement strategies.

After discussion and follow‑up commitments for data about program costs (including IB recertification) and question‑level survey information, the board voted to approve the update for submission to the state. The motion passed 7–0.

Next steps: Staff said they will provide additional requested data (contract or program costs and question‑level survey results) and will incorporate planned updates to the strategic plan over the summer.