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Superintendent: Vernonia reports strong growth on STAR assessments; district tightens expectations for VFA/BFA programs
Summary
Superintendent told the board the district outpaced statewide growth measures on Renaissance STAR assessments (citing 74% of students showing above-target growth) and outlined changes to Family Academy/VFA: ISP students moved onsite, proctored finals required, progress checks and PEP plans, and revised stipend/internet policies.
Superintendent delivered a year-in-review presentation highlighting academic growth measured by Renaissance STAR assessments and the district’s accountability alignment to Senate Bill 141. He said the district aimed for a 35 student-growth percentile (SGP) minimum but is targeting a 50 SGP benchmark, and reported: "we had 74% of our kids grow greater than or surpass that this year." The superintendent framed the results as attributable to teachers, administrators and community engagement.
On alternative-education programs, administrators described several policy changes. ISP (independent-study/hybrid) students previously using the BFA house will now be supported in an on-site computer lab; all VFA (virtual/family academy) students will be required to take proctored final-semester assessments at the BFA house (with case-by-case exceptions), and VFA students will receive three progress checks per semester with a PEP (progress education plan) triggered on repeated insufficient progress. The superintendent also said the district will maintain VFA stipends (about $1,600 for secondary and $1,000 for elementary) but discontinue blanket Internet payments except for families who qualify under free-and-reduced criteria; he noted the district currently spends about $15,000 annually on Internet support initiated during COVID and will now limit payments to eligible families.
Board members asked about fairness and transcript/GPA effects for students in alternative placements; the superintendent said the intent was accountability and to ensure students are ready for postsecondary expectations. He also said re‑enrollment to BFA will require registration and documented rationale for alternative placement.
