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District reports large early-literacy and elementary math gains in Q3, notes attendance and behavior trends
Summary
Frederick County staff reported May 11 that early-literacy screening shows gains (62% of K–2 low risk), I Ready math diagnostics rose to 42% of K–5 students at or above grade level by year-end, and several schools reduced chronic absenteeism and behavior infractions, while some secondary cohorts show uneven performance.
District staff presented third-quarter data showing notable early-literacy and elementary math progress while pointing to attendance and behavior patterns that require continued attention.
Early literacy: Tanesa Carter, who led the elementary literacy presentation, described the district’s VALS screener cadence and goals. "Our goal...is we want proficient readers by third grade," Carter said, adding that 62% of K–2 students are currently identified as low risk for future reading difficulties. Carter told the board the division has set a target that teams reach 80% low risk by next year and that 10 of 13 schools are on track to meet that goal based on midyear progress.
Math diagnostics and curriculum adoption: Dr. Sharon Schrum, coordinator of elementary mathematics, reported substantial I Ready growth in grades 1–5: "By the middle of the year, that number had nearly doubled to 27 percent, and at the end of the year, 42 percent of our students were above grade level," she said. Schrum noted that the portion of students in the highest tier rose from 4% at the start of the year to 21% at year-end, and the share 1–3 grade levels behind dropped from 86% to 58%. Staff credited protected planning time, instructional coaching, and a new elementary math materials adoption that will be in teachers’ hands in June.
Attendance and behavior: Presenters said elementary chronic absenteeism declined division-wide (elementary chronic rate reported at 11.3% this quarter vs. more than 16% the same time last year) and that 66% of elementary campuses reduced behavior infractions. Staff identified five campuses with notable reductions in chronic absenteeism (Armel, Bass Hoover, Gainsborough, Orchard View, Redbud Run) and said specific demographic breakdowns are available on request. At the secondary level, staff highlighted pockets of progress (Byrd’s behavior infractions down 32%; Frederick County Middle showed 42% growth as measured by EDIA) but flagged performance dips in grades 6, 8 and 12 and persistent ninth-grade chronic absenteeism.
Context and next steps: Presenters said some third-grade screening comparisons are not directly comparable because the grade-3 screening cadence differs (third-grade midyear screens cover only students previously flagged as moderate or high risk), and promised additional disaggregated reports on request. District leaders recommended continuing PLCs and MTSS alignment, sustaining instructional coaching, and refining pacing and unit plans. The presentation closed with staff offering to return with deeper, school-level demographic breakdowns and follow-up on campuses showing increases in behavior incidents.
What’s next: Staff will provide requested demographic breakdowns and weekly follow-up reports as needed. No formal policy actions were taken; the presentation was informational.
