OKCPS reports stronger fifth‑grade math growth; board accepts monitoring report

Oklahoma City Public Schools’ board accepted a monitoring report on June 8 showing measurable progress in fifth‑grade math growth, district leaders said.

Superintendent Jamie Pulk told the board that in spring 2026, 42.6% of fifth‑grade students met or exceeded the 50th percentile in math growth, “which means we exceeded our annual target by 8.7%,” and framed the work as part of longer‑range goals tied to students’ readiness for middle and high school. The 2028 target for this measure is 44%.

District instructional leaders said the increase reflects a combination of curriculum alignment, strengthened instructional coaching and targeted interventions. Jereie Herszer, executive director for secondary curriculum and professional learning, said the district has expanded district‑developed pacing guides, standards‑aligned resources and professional learning (IMPRO) for fifth‑ and seventh‑grade teachers so they “strengthen their use of high‑impact instructional practices, including classroom discussion, mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and the effective use of manipulatives.”

Presenters emphasized systems for monitoring implementation: common formative assessments (CFAs) are used as lead indicators of fidelity, instructional coaches provide targeted feedback, and a new digital walkthrough tool will help track evidence of classroom practices. The district plans to expand quarterly job‑embedded professional learning, add a middle‑school math professional development coordinator and clarify tier‑2 and tier‑3 intervention systems. Officials said an Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) GAP grant will fund seven days of job‑embedded coaching focused on implementing the Big Ideas math curriculum in designated schools.

Board members pressed presenters on parent communication, implementation fidelity and how the district will determine what works. In response, staff said NWA (the district’s universal screening assessment) produces a one‑page student profile that teachers can share, scores are accessible in Infinite Campus, and the district is developing student goal‑setting and family workshops to help parents interpret growth versus achievement results.

Several members also raised turnover and consistency concerns; presenters said 100% fidelity is the aspiration but implementation is ongoing and that the PRE team will conduct selected program evaluations next year to assess usage, fidelity and return on investment.

After discussion the board voted to accept the monitoring report. The motion carried on a recorded voice vote of seven yes and zero nay votes.