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District presenters report midyear academic gains and strong SEL indicators
Summary
Presenters told the board that winter NWEA results show math growth (from the 50th to 59th percentile fall-to-winter) and stable reading percentiles, while middle-school 'Insights' SEL data show most students at or above average competency; the district highlighted tutoring, Title I exits and teacher professional development.
Presenters for the elementary and middle schools summarized winter assessment and social-emotional learning results and described the instructional steps planned to keep growth on track.
Elementary presenter Amy Torac said winter NWEA screener results show notable math growth: "we were in the 50th percentile for Math and now in the winter we're in the 59th percentile," and reading remained around the 56th percentile. Torac said quadrant reports show most grade levels in the high-achievement/high-growth quadrants in math and reading. She described programmatic supports including summer tutoring, in-year small-group interventions, and Title I services; since fall the elementary program "exited 13 students for reading and 29 students for math," meaning those students no longer need Title support.
Middle-school staff described the district's use of the Insights social-emotional assessment aligned to the CASEL five competencies and said compiled middle-school data indicate most students fall in average or above-average competency bands. The counselor explained the district's multi-tiered system: universal SEL lessons and community meetings (Tier 1), targeted groups and brief solution-focused counseling (Tier 2), and case-managed mental-health services when criteria are met (Tier 3).
Board members asked about volunteer needs for reading time, classroom space for small groups, and how the district connects K–8 SEL work to supports in high school. Presenters said volunteer reading time remains a pressing need and that space constraints (few quiet, flexible rooms) limit some interventions; longer-term facility solutions will be discussed by the long-range planning committee.
Presenters said additional, more detailed assessment charts and grade-level breakout data will be available at an upcoming workshop for board review.
