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District 68 to pilot four-day kindergarten 'switcheroo' to improve fall placements
Summary
Dr. Christy Samajendi presented a pilot that places incoming kindergartners in temporary classrooms for four days of observation and assessment so staff can make more balanced final placements; the board will review implementation details and a June data report was promised.
Dr. Christy Samajendi told the board the kindergarten pilot is designed to let incoming students experience short-term "square/triangle/circle" classrooms for the first four days of school, during which teachers and related-service staff conduct observations and early literacy, math and social-emotional assessments. "On that 4th day, we would then pull the team together to look at all of that data and be really thoughtful and intentional about how to place students," Samajendi said.
Samajendi said the proposal — summarized in a memo and a more detailed proposal — explains goals, material needs, anticipated expenses, the pilot team and the evaluation timeline. A board member asked whether smaller schools or two-classroom kindergartens would still run the program; Samajendi said the model applies regardless of number of classrooms because staff will still gain needed information even with two classes. She cited informal contacts with a curriculum coordinator in "another District 68 in Illinois" that completed the model twice and reported more balanced classes and fewer early behavior calls.
Dr. Griggs said, depending on results, the district would consider expanding the pilot across more schools in future years and that staff would bring evaluation data and a presentation to the June 26 meeting for board review. The board did not take a formal vote on the pilot at this meeting; the proposal remains under consideration with follow-up reporting planned.
