Board approves assessment plan adding Flashlight360 interim checks for multilingual students

The Burnsville Public School District board on Aug. 13 approved the district assessment plan that adds Flashlight360 interim assessments for multilingual learners.

Dr. Brandon Lowe, the district's director of student support and engagement, told the board the only change from previous years is the addition of Flashlight360, an interim assessment administered in fall, winter and spring that "allow[s] teachers the ability to keep closer track on what individual needs would be for students." He said the extra windows are intended to provide more intentional monitoring than a single once‑a‑year measure.

Board members asked whether teachers could monitor week‑to‑week progress with Flashlight360 in the same way they use FastBridge. Lowe said his understanding was the tool provides three administration windows and that staff would follow up with specific functionality details. "This year, we're adding Flashlight 3 60 out of our own desire to add that. It is not required," he said.

Chair Ault moved to approve the assessment plan; the motion was seconded by Director Humes and carried by unanimous voice vote. The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the minutes presented at the meeting.