District officials report midyear I‑Ready gains, emphasize 'stretch growth' to close gaps

District staff presented midyear I‑Ready diagnostic results to the board, reporting multi‑year cohort tracking and gains in several grades and outlining targeted teacher supports to continue momentum.

Staff said 77% of kindergarten students were at grade level in ELA at midyear — a benchmark the presenters described as evidence the K–5 aligned ELA resource is yielding results. The I‑Ready presenter said the district now has sufficient longitudinal data to follow cohorts across three assessment windows and to identify patterns such as typical summer slide and students who consistently lose ground.

"We now have enough data to follow the cohorts to identify different trends," the I‑Ready presenter told the board. "This is so super exciting — we're halfway through the school year and we've got what 77% of our kids exactly where they need to be." The district noted math resources for early grades are newer and may show growing pains.

District leaders said they are emphasizing 'stretch growth' — progress greater than a single typical year of learning — because students who hit stretch growth two years in a row are more likely to return to grade level. Staff said they have identified classrooms that achieved 50% stretch growth at midyear and plan small recognitions and to share best practices. Teachers and building leaders will receive professional development through DCI and the Success Ready Student Network to use data more effectively.

The board asked how that information is communicated to families; staff said individualized family reports are provided at conferences and midyear reports are sent home, and a special four‑families report details three years of growth for reading success plans.

What’s next: staff will continue to monitor cohorts and use targeted professional development and interventions to reduce 'red' (students three or more levels below) and increase stretch growth.