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Trustees press VCUSD on flat math MAP growth as new K–8 curriculum rolls out
Summary
District presenters said a new K–8 math adoption is in its first year of implementation and that MAP math growth is mixed; trustees asked for clearer professional development, benchmarks and school‑level data for targeting coaching.
District staff told the governing board that the district implemented a new K–8 math curriculum this year and is monitoring MAP (NWEA) math results while supporting teachers through training and coaching.
A math presenter said the MAP math assessment is being administered in fall and winter and that the district set a goal of a 5 percentage‑point increase in median percentile at each grade band. “This is the first year of a new math adoption and that often happens when teachers are getting used to the curriculum and the students are getting used to it,” the presenter said, noting publisher and district‑led professional learning and principal‑led walkthroughs to monitor implementation.
Trustees raised concerns about flat or declining growth in some elementary and middle grades and asked how the district will identify and support teachers whose implementation is uneven. Trustee Fox said the board needs regular benchmark data three times per year to drive tier‑2 interventions and to hold sites accountable; another trustee asked whether benchmark assessments are being administered consistently across grades that also take CAASPP.
Staff responded that teachers received training from the curriculum publisher and from district teacher leaders, that grade‑level PLCs and monthly walkthroughs are used to identify needs, and that the district is using grants and partnerships (including with Unbound Ed) to provide coaching and classroom observations. Staff also noted some MAP band changes in a few grades and said some high‑school grade bands showing big jumps had smaller sample sizes.
The board requested school‑level MAP data and completion rates so trustees can see where assessments are not being completed and to determine how completion affects district averages. Staff committed to sharing completion and site‑level data and to continuing targeted professional learning for teachers who need additional coaching.
The board did not take any formal action on the curriculum during the session; staff said a proposal to unify high‑school math curriculum (Amplify pilot) will be brought to the board following public‑hearing notice.
