Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Durango district reports big early literacy and math gains, plans to standardize STAR assessments
Summary
Executive director Laurie Rosbach told the board the district saw large K–5 gains on DIBELS 8 and elementary math, recommended shifting elementary assessments to STAR reading and math and reducing i‑Ready usage to streamline testing and reduce student fatigue.
Durango School District No. 9‑R presented end‑of‑year assessment results showing notable improvements in early literacy and elementary math and outlined a plan to change the district’s assessment map.
"Our kindergarten students achieved an incredible 48% increase, finishing the year with 77% of students at or above benchmark," said Laurie Rosbach, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Rosbach framed the gains as the result of district investments in curriculum, professional learning and interventions and noted cohort effects tied to student mobility between grades.
The presentation reviewed three primary screening tools—DIBELS 8 for early literacy, i‑Ready reading and math, and STAR diagnostics—and compared district results to state and national norms. Rosbach said the district saw sustained mid‑to‑above proficiency tiers and significant reductions in students performing three or more grade levels below across elementary grades.
Because spring testing windows were compressed this year and students faced calendar‑related testing fatigue, the district will change its assessment plan: starting fall 2026 Durango will transition K–5 away from broad i‑Ready administration and move to STAR reading and STAR math to streamline assessments K–12 while keeping DIBELS in early grades. Rosbach said the move is designed to reduce testing time, improve reporting quality and unify growth measures across the district.
Board members praised staff work, highlighted the role of consistent curricula and MTSS in producing gains, and asked staff to continue disaggregated subgroup reporting as part of the district’s accountability work. Rosbach said additional subgroup and grade‑level breakdowns are being prepared for planning and intervention purposes.
What happens next: the district will finalize the assessment map and implement the shift beginning in the 2026–27 school year; principals and teachers will receive guidance and training on the new schedule and tools.
