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Board hears math performance update; first reading OK'd for revised social-studies indicators
Summary
Dr. Johnson told the board the district "has made reasonable progress" on math indicators and outperforms state averages; the board approved on first reading revisions to 2.1 social-studies indicators, asking that civic- and global-awareness points be incorporated into the superintendent interpretation.
Dr. Johnson presented the district's mathematics results, saying Bismarck Public Schools "has made reasonable progress on all 6 indicators" and that the district often outperforms state averages across multiple assessments. He highlighted improvements in growth categories and noted reporting bands for small subgroups that protect student privacy.
Board members raised technical questions about the calculation for indicator 6; Johnson explained the asterisk reflects a shift from a standards-conversion method to a total-point calculation tied to new assessments. Members praised the professional development and district systems that support alignment and growth.
Later in the meeting, Dr. Fosnott presented recommended revisions to the 2.1 academic achievement social-studies indicators, proposing to remove several items that are difficult to measure and to retain indicators tied to civics and advanced-course participation. Several board members expressed that indicators 9 and 10'which address global awareness and knowledge of civic duties'are essential but hard to quantify. Board members asked that those topics be incorporated into the superintendent's interpretation or narrative rather than removed outright.
Mister Lee moved and the board approved the first reading of the revised coherent governance results indicators (2.1 academic achievement ' social studies), directing staff to fold language for indicators 9 and 10 into the superintendent interpretation and to return the item for a second reading with revisions.
Board members said they will continue to examine how the district can document the intended outcomes while acknowledging limitations in measurable evidence for some social-studies expectations.
