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Portland Public Schools to adopt Character Strong K–12; plans PowerSchool ninth‑grade dashboard
Summary
District staff reported a successful first year of an elementary SEL curriculum (Purposeful People by Character Strong) with 100% of visited classrooms using it and 84% student engagement; the district will adopt Character Strong K–12 and launch a ninth‑grade on‑track dashboard in PowerSchool to improve data consistency.
Portland Public Schools staff told the Curriculum and Student Success Committee on June 22 that the district will expand SEL curriculum adoption and build consistent data systems to better track ninth‑grade and post‑secondary outcomes.
Dr. Angela Atkinson Duina, standing in for the elementary director who led the work, said the elementary rollout of the Purposeful People curriculum (developed by Character Strong) was strong in year one: district walk‑throughs found 100% of visited classrooms using the curriculum and 84% of students engaged in lessons. "We've gotten just a lot of anecdotal positive response on this curriculum as well," Dr. Atkinson Duina said. Staff reported a 4% increase on the student climate survey item "students treat each other well." The district plans a K–12 professional‑development launch in August, fidelity tracking, and alignment with MTSS and student supports.
On data systems, Pamela Otieno, director of secondary innovation and outcomes, said the district lacks reliable district‑wide outcome data for ninth‑grade on‑track and post‑secondary success because schools have been tracking and reporting differently. To address this, staff will launch a ninth‑grade on‑track dashboard through PowerSchool in the fall and revise post‑secondary tracking procedures and spreadsheets to ensure consistent reporting across schools.
Leaders said these system changes aim to identify students in need earlier and give schools shared tools and training to respond more quickly. The committee did not take formal action; staff said they will return with implementation updates.
