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District reports gains in math, flat language‑arts proficiency and uneven science results
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Barker presented summative assessment results showing county math proficiency rose (about 5 points), language arts proficiency held at 34% countywide, and science scores declined in places; Dr. Barker flagged fourth and sixth grade cohort issues and proposed targeted interventions and benchmarks.
Dr. Barker presented the district’s summative assessment results and an initial plan of next steps. Countywide, math proficiency rose notably (the presentation cited a roughly 5 percentage‑point increase in district math proficiency), while language arts proficiency remained steady ("we maintained our proficiency in language arts at uh 34%"), and science showed declines in some grades. Dr. Barker emphasized cohort growth analysis as a more meaningful measure than year‑to‑year cross‑sectional comparisons and highlighted recurring "sixth grade cliff" declines from fifth to sixth grade as a priority.
The superintendent outlined planned actions: deeper meetings with middle‑school science teachers to design supports, continued M3T professional development for math teachers, and a structured benchmark schedule (Progress Learning, PSAT/SAT cadence) to give teachers earlier, comparable data for intervention. Dr. Barker said the district will return in September with a fuller accountability presentation covering growth, attendance and graduation metrics.
