McDowell County reports midyear gains in K–8 math and reading; kindergarten posts largest improvements

Amanda Payton, assistant superintendent, told the McDowell County Board of Education that midyear (MOY) I‑Ready results show measurable improvements in K–8 reading and mathematics. "We've jumped from 8% to 19%" in the district's tier‑1 (on‑level) math group, she said, and highlighted that tier‑3 students — those three or more grade levels behind — fell from 47% to 38% in mathematics after district interventions and in‑class supports. The presentation explained the district's color‑coded reporting (red for 3+ grades behind, green for on track) and contrasted "typical growth" targets with the district's "stretch growth" expectations for accelerated progress.

Payton credited a combination of measures for the gains: a contracted I‑Ready coach onsite for 34 weeks, new pacing guides, a daily intervention period described as a "math win," virtual coaching cycles (51 six‑week cycles completed) and more consistent principal walk‑throughs and peer review. She pointed to literacy initiatives as well: "Phonemic awareness... we rocked it from 28 to 76%," Payton said, and described a district effort to replace one‑off basals with topical text sets to build vocabulary and comprehension across K–5 classrooms. District staff said principals and teachers are using the midyear snapshot to target interventions and adjust core instruction so on‑grade‑level students are taught grade‑level standards while intervention time focuses on students who are behind.