Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District reviews mixed PSAT results, launches Black and Gold growth program
Summary
District officials reviewed fall PSAT benchmarks showing some gains and gaps versus state averages, and introduced a teacher-led growth initiative that sets 60-point individual targets, uses teacher-designed banded instruction and rewards progress.
Presenter reviewed the district’s fall PSAT and related intervention plan, telling the board that the district mean score was "808" (English 419; math 389) and that while some scores beat the state the share meeting both benchmarks lagged state figures.
"I would commend our middle school folks…" the Presenter said, while noting only roughly 10.51% met both benchmarks in the fall and math proficiency lags English at most grade levels.
To drive growth, the district is launching a "Black and Gold" program in which students set a personal target — typically a 60-point improvement from their prior benchmark — and advisories will monitor goals weekly. Rewards include winter/spring recognition and an earned "flex day" for growth achieved through short, teacher-led banded instruction during targeted SAT-prep days.
The Presenter said the district will also increase classroom use of the Desmos online calculator in math instruction to help students who struggle conceptually, while accepting that some teachers have reservations about overreliance on calculators.
The district reported about 97 students this year who increased their benchmark score by 60 points or met state criteria. Officials also noted that roughly 85 dual-credit classes taken through West Virginia University, Eastern and Grand Canyon University save local students an estimated $38,500 in tuition costs; Grand Canyon classes are not covered by the state's level-up grants.
Board members asked about causes for low math proficiency and about teachers’ capacity for banded instruction; the Presenter said the district held a December data-review day and will continue building teacher-created interventions.
Next steps: staff will implement the banded instruction and reward schedule and report back on spring-to-fall apples-to-apples growth once PSAT spring retesting is complete.
