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New math and CTE director outlines SAT gaps, summer acceleration and CTE expansion
Summary
Ashley Rue, Region 19's new director of math and career & technical education, presented SAT math data showing a school average of 519 (45% meeting the benchmark), proposed a curriculum audit and targeted SAT prep, and outlined an expanded summer acceleration program and CTE offerings to improve access to higher-level math.
Ashley Rue, the district’s new director of math and career and technical education, gave a data-driven presentation on math performance and a progress report on career and technical education.
Rue said EOSmith’s school average SAT math score for the most recent class was 519, with 45% of students meeting the College Board benchmark of 530. She showed disaggregated results by race/ethnicity and subgroup and flagged gaps in algebra and advanced-math domains. “Our school average score was a 519,” Rue said, adding that while scores have in some cohorts increased from PSAT to SAT, there is room for improvement and targeted intervention.
To address the gaps, Rue proposed a three-part approach: (1) a curriculum audit to map required content across four years and align course levels, (2) more intentional SAT preparation using released College Board questions and expanded Desmos practice in class, and (3) expanded access to higher-level courses through a summer acceleration program. The summer program, free to participating students (transportation required), will run about six weeks four days a week for four hours a day and will this year offer both algebra 2 and geometry to reduce the need for students to double-up during the school year.
Student representatives raised policy concerns earlier in the meeting that Rue addressed in question-and-answer exchange: students described inconsistencies in the district reassessment policy across course levels and asked for clearer guidance. Theo and another student said the reassessment policy had left some students confused about priorities on test days; board members suggested focus groups and expanded student surveys.
Rue also reviewed equity patterns in internal EOSmith course grades and SAT results; she said the math department already shares student-by-student data with teachers so instructors can design focused interventions. Department goals include compiling released SAT items into daily instruction, providing Desmos practice, and creating a single resource page for teacher-created review videos and study guides.
On career and technical education, Rue highlighted hands-on programs in business, construction/carpentry, video production, culinary, and manufacturing. She noted strong student interest in construction and culinary and identified constraints: limited physical space and staffing (many CTE teachers cover multiple courses). Rue described partnerships with regional workforce and post-secondary programs including youth manufacturing initiatives and a Yukon Navy STEM SeaPerch afterschool program.
Board members asked detailed operational questions (length and intensity of summer courses, eligibility for incoming ninth graders, student recruitment and teacher recommendations). Rue said applications will open earlier this year to give staff time for selection and outreach; in some past years the program did not fill and in others it expanded when seats were available.
The presentation concluded with an invitation for additional data requests (e.g., combining SAT scores with course grades or sending-school breakdowns) and next steps that include a department-led curriculum audit and continued planning for the summer acceleration program. The superintendent and board will review budget implications during March budget meetings and the April public hearing.
