Presenter: Boyne City K–8 students meet growth targets on NWEA after targeted interventions

A district presenter reported that the district met growth goals this year across K–8 NWEA student-growth measures, saying “we have met all of our goals for both math and for reading in k through 8.” The presenter said 83% of elementary students met projected math growth and 71% met expected growth in ELA, and described this as the first year in nine that the district returned to NWEA testing.

The presenter attributed improvements to several targeted actions: adding a literacy coach (Crystal Dean) who visits classrooms and models instruction; implementing the Read 180 intervention with both flex and full models and enrolling several hundred students in the program; and restructuring schedules so paraprofessionals provide 30 minutes per day of small-group reading support and upper grades receive similar time for math. The presenter also said monthly data meetings with staff (including Kyle McGinity) helped teachers track progress and set growth goals.

Board members asked about how the growth metric is calculated; the presenter explained the NWEA score reflects individual student growth expectations rather than a single-norm snapshot. A board member also asked whether students with individualized education programs are included; the presenter said all students are included in the growth data and that some students take alternate test forms documented in their IEPs.

The presenter and other board members emphasized celebration for staff and students while noting continued attention to sustainable adoption of interventions. No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational.