D-51 officials emphasize student growth metrics as district moves to accredited status

School-district leaders told the board that disaggregated growth data shows progress across many student groups and should guide where the district targets interventions.

"Growth tells us how much progress they're making over time and that's critical," said Curry Newton, director of assessment, explaining the district’s emphasis on growth metrics and the 50th percentile as the one-year-growth benchmark.

Presenters reviewed multi-year district performance framework trends, noting a steady rise from the low-50s in 2019 to 61.4 in 2025, which the presenters said places the district in accredited status. Growth charts shown to the board highlighted areas of strong progress — including a 2022 burst in elementary math that led to high achievement — while middle-school growth in some subjects still lags behind achievement targets.

District staff outlined how the growth data informs practice: core-instruction consistency, targeted supports for students with IEPs, and professional learning for teachers — particularly for alternatively licensed instructors who need additional content and pedagogical support. Presenters said they have 11 recent secondary math openings, with seven of the newly hired teachers being alternatively licensed, and that this has prompted targeted supports in secondary math and science.

Board members asked when the most recent testing results would be available. Staff said student achievement files may arrive April–June but will be embargoed for public release until the state publishes them in August–September; growth figures require additional calculations and will follow achievement data.

The presenters said the data will continue to shape curriculum governance, professional development, and resource allocation to close persistent gaps and sustain the district’s recent gains.