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District reports gains in math and ELA but cautions about statewide test recalculation by Pearson
Summary
District presenters said district math proficiency rose in some grades (noting a 20-point gain in one measure) and ELA showed growth in specific grades; they warned the state will recalculate scores after a testing error (Pearson left calculators enabled for selected tests), meaning figures could change in July–August.
District staff presented a summative math and ELA report to the Belcourt board on June 2 that showed measurable growth in several grades but persistent gaps that will shape next year’s instructional priorities.
Staff said proficient and advanced math results in some grades rose from 17% to 37% (a roughly 20-point gain in the presented example) and cited algebraic reasoning gaps in grades 5–7 and 10. For ELA, staff reported growth in grades 4, 5, 7 and 8. Presenters recommended three district priorities: strengthen Tier 1 instruction for all students, implement frequent progress monitoring (about every two weeks), and continue professional development focused on standards-based instruction and PLCs.
Presenters also told the board that the state has identified test-administration errors in the 2024–25 cycle—specifically that calculators were left enabled for some math tests—and that the test vendor, Pearson, will recalculate scale scores. The speakers cautioned that the district’s presented scores are provisional and may change after the state’s recalculation work in July–August.
Board members asked about how the recalibration affects year-to-year comparisons and staff said the district will provide an updated analysis once the state publishes revised scales. Staff emphasized that the instructional priorities and progress-monitoring steps will continue regardless of the final state recalculation.
Next steps: the district will report updated summative results once the state publishes revised scores and will continue to implement Tier 1 instructional improvements and biweekly progress monitoring.
