Waco ISD midyear data: reading shows growth, math lags amid new curriculum implementation

Dr. Dina Kornblum presented the board with a middle‑of‑year data review tied to Priority 1.1, walking trustees through I Ready diagnostics, taught curriculum assessments (TCAs) and benchmark comparisons to TEA cut scores. She said that by midyear the district expected 30% of on‑grade students to achieve typical growth and 20% of students one or more years below grade level to achieve stretch growth.

Kornblum reported current results and benchmarks: "So as we look at where we are now based on our middle of the year scores, when we look at typical growth, we're at 33% for reading and 20% for math," she said, then corrected some stretch figures later in the presentation. Trustees pressed on summer slide, partnerships for summer programming and what teachers are reporting about the new math curriculum. Kornblum said pacing is the biggest classroom challenge: teachers are still learning the structure and models of the new math program, which can compress time for targeted small‑group instruction. She outlined supports including targeted reteaching, tutoring, summer school and partnerships with local organizations to mitigate learning loss.

Kornblum also reviewed STAR/STAAR‑aligned benchmarks (the district reported using TEA cut scores plus a +5% district adjustment for some internal measures) and dual‑credit enrollment/completion figures, noting dual‑credit enrollment increased to 314 students with 500 courses completed in the fall.