Members of USD 506’s Board of Education reviewed state assessment data during their recent meeting.
According to Superintendent John Wyrick, the district largely tested at or above the state average.
Students in grades three through eight are tested annually in reading and math during state assessments. Tenth-grade students are also tested in reading and math. Students in fifth, eighth, and 11th grade are also tested in Science. However, science scores from this year are not available due to the state not being able to determine cut scores.
Cut scores identify a child’s depth of knowledge in a subject and determine if their knowledge is limited, basic, proficient, or advanced.
This year, scores range from 400-700, with proficiency marked as any score at or over 540. For many grades, the state average score does not meet the proficiency benchmark.
The following is a breakdown of USD 506’s average scores by grade, compared to the state average.
English language arts scores: third grade, 554, state average of 545; fourth grade, 547, state average of 542; fifth grade, 546, state average of 539; sixth grade, 541, state average of 532; seventh grade, 539, state average of 533; eighth grade, 538, state average of 532; 10th grade, 537, state average of 530.
Math scores: third grade, 545, state average of 535; fourth grade, 542, state average of 537; fifth grade, 549, state average of 538; sixth grade, 543, state average of 535; seventh grade, 537, state average of 532; eighth grade, 541, state average of 535; 10th grade, 534, state average of 528.
According to data broken down by school, several classes exceeded the district average.
To help track students’ learning momentum, benchmark testing is done in the fall, winter, and spring to track student success beyond the data provided by the state assessment. In addition to the thrice-annual benchmark testing, students are evaluated in reading and math weekly through FastBridge.
Students who are identified as needing additional assistance can get extra practice in reading and math during the school day through the multi-tier system of supports and alignment, or MTSS. According to Wyrick, all students get 90 minutes of instructional time in mathematics and reading, writing, spelling, and grammar. Students who require additional assistance are considered in need of tier 2 services, and they get an additional 20 minutes of small-group instruction. Those who need even more help, who need tier 3 services, get an extra 20 minutes of group work, for a total of 130 minutes of targeted instruction per day. Students not in need of interventions work on other enrichment activities.
Classroom groups are fluid, and based on FastBridge progress scores, Wyrick said.
In other district business, the board has come to a consensus that they would like to see Naloxone available in case of an emergency in the school buildings. A policy reflecting this availability and addition to emergency planning is expected to be discussed at future meetings.
The next USD 506 Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Curran Administrative Center. Agenda packets and meeting minutes can be found at https:// www.usd506. org/district- 54/board-of-education/ board-minutes-agendas.
