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District says midyear math gains continue but sixth grade trends worry board
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Chapman and Dr. Brown reported midyear math monitoring that shows improvement overall but declining sixth‑grade performance; the board discussed instructional time, staffing, and concerns about proposed state Senate Bill 19 requiring math improvement plans.
The Columbus City School Board heard a detailed midyear math monitoring report March 17 that district leaders said shows mixed results across grades and underlines the urgency of targeted interventions.
Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman told the board the district has established interim goals for grades four through six to keep on track for a seventh‑grade target set by the board and emphasized that "improving math outcomes requires clarity, consistency, and daily commitment." Dr. Brown presented assessment trends and said the district has "exceeded our goal this year" in some measures but that performance varied by grade: 36 schools met fourth‑grade interim goals, 37 schools met fifth‑grade interim goals, and only 14 schools met sixth‑grade interim goals. Dr. Brown said sixth grade was "trending in the wrong direction" and will be the primary focus of corrective action.
To accelerate learning, the district is implementing a semester‑2 math action plan that includes a daily 10‑minute spiral review in grades 3 through Algebra 1, targeted Tier 2 intervention with flexible grouping and progress monitoring, curriculum adjustments to front‑load prerequisite standards, principal learning walks, and summer learning opportunities. Dr. Chapman and Dr. Brown stressed that instructional time is the "X factor" and noted that sixth graders located in elementary schools receive more math minutes than sixth graders scheduled in middle schools, a difference the district said influences outcomes.
Board members probed staffing tradeoffs and potential budget impacts: vice president Les and other members asked whether reductions to building substitutes, instructional coaches, and extended learning staff would limit implementation. The administration said some reductions already made will be felt and that further cuts could move closer to the classroom.
The board also discussed Senate Bill 19, pending in the state legislature, which would require individualized math improvement and monitoring plans (MYIPs). Joe Hearnen, director of mathematics, innovation and technology, told the board SB19 would create thousands of unfunded plans, add administrative burden, and could misalign with the district's K—2 math strategy. Hearnen said the district is meeting with lawmakers to communicate implementation concerns.
A motion to accept the monitoring reports was made and carried by roll call. District leaders said they will continue root cause analysis and monitor implementation of spiral review, Tier 2 supports, and aligned professional development.
