Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Instruction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent outlines SIP progress: reading gains, math interventions and mentor program
Summary
District leaders reported progress on the Student Improvement Plan (Sept–Dec 2024), citing reading gains, targeted MTSS interventions for grades 6–8, expanded writing PD and a new mentor program to support teachers.
The Vernonia School District superintendent presented a comprehensive progress report on the district Student Improvement Plan (SIP), covering activities from September through December 2024 and tying staffing, curriculum and professional development decisions to the plan’s goals.
On literacy, the presentation noted professional development in early literacy and writing: "This report summarizes activities, professional development progress within the Vernonia School District student improvement plan from September of this year to December," the superintendent said in presenting the packet. The district reported a drop in the lowest-performing readers (level 1) from 48.4% to 37.7% and positive movement into levels 3 and 4; elementary student growth percentiles also showed pockets of high growth. The superintendent framed writing-focused PD as a lever that doubles the rate at which student performance meets grade-level proficiency.
For grades 6–8, the district described an MTSS rollout for reading (in place) and math (in development), driven by STAR diagnostics to form small-group interventions and supported by software including IXL. "We take the STAR assessment, we determine which students are not at grade level...we develop intervention classes with staff," the superintendent said, describing the small-group model, progress checks and reassessment cadence. The district also described plans to adopt a new 6–12 math curriculum and to use interim assessments that emulate Smarter Balanced items (DOK 3–4) to build student familiarity and confidence ahead of state testing.
Instructional supports include a mentor program led by Robin Murphy with five mentees, a mentor handbook and regional collaboration; the district also plans to hire one to two after‑school tutors to support math. Board members asked about staffing capacity for math interventions and dual‑credit opportunities; administrators said the district is exploring partnerships with community colleges but faces constraints tied to staff qualifications and funding.
