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Bethalto CUSD 8 reviews assessment shifts, sets aggressive growth and attendance targets
Summary
District leaders told the board that changes in state cut scores and a new vendor assessment have altered proficiency rates; the board heard school-by-school goals, a push on ACT readiness and plans to reduce chronic absenteeism from about 16%.
District leaders presented fall benchmark data and school improvement plans, telling the Bethalto CUSD 8 Board of Education that recent changes in state cut scores and a new assessment vendor have materially altered proficiency figures.
The superintendent said the district is proceeding cautiously with results from the new Progress Learning platform but set firm targets for the coming year. "We set our goal pretty aggressive…at 65% of our students," the superintendent said in reference to a 10th-grade ACT-equivalent proficiency goal the district adopted as part of its high-school plan. The presentation emphasized ACT-specific instruction, second-semester ACT study halls and differentiated CFAs built into the new vendor platform.
Principals from Bethalto East, Parkside and Metobrook each outlined building-level strategies: expanded RTI tiers, intervention blocks such as "Eagle Time," PBIS and family-engagement tactics. The Bethalto East presenter reported stronger kindergarten-to-first-grade literacy benchmarks and expanded early screening; Parkside and Metobrook leaders highlighted targeted small-group instruction and SEAL (social-emotional) supports.
Leaders repeatedly cautioned that the new assessment platform may inflate early-year proficiency numbers. "We're being cautionary with Progress Learning," a high-school presenter said, noting that the district will compare vendor data with established ACT trends before adjusting expectations.
Attendance was a recurring focus. High-school staff noted chronic absenteeism near 16% districtwide and contrasted that with a state average of about 25.4%, and described outreach including progress reports for families, text-message nudges for students at or above 90% attendance, and targeted meetings with parents for chronically absent students.
Board members heard concrete next steps: continue CFAs aligned to ACT indicators, monitor Progress Learning trend data, maintain MTSS coordination, and return to the board with updated benchmarks. No formal vote was required for the presentations; the board moved on to other agenda items at the meeting's close.
