CCSD 59 reports systemwide gains on spring I‑Ready benchmarks; several schools show double‑digit reading growth

CCSD 59 assessment staff presented spring 2024–25 I‑Ready benchmark results to the Board of Education on Aug. 6, reporting districtwide gains in reading and math and higher rates of intervention provision.

Tom Ludlow, who led the benchmark presentation, said the district’s reading KPI rose to 72.5% meeting the I‑Ready benchmark and math rose to 77.6% in spring testing. “Reading had a 4% growth percentage point growth over the year and math had 2,” Ludlow said.

The presentation highlighted school-level progress: Brentwood recorded an 8.4 percentage‑point increase in reading and Holmes reported a 9.9 percentage‑point increase, Ludlow said. He attributed some school-level swings to attendance‑area changes and newcomer enrollment but credited district instructional supports and increased student practice on I‑Ready lessons.

Intervention provision rates also increased substantially, the presentation said: the district reported provision in reading and math and behavior supports at much higher levels compared with earlier years. Ludlow said 64% of students achieved at least a year’s typical growth in reading and 33% achieved “stretch” growth (more than one year), aligning with I‑Ready targets.

Why this matters: The benchmarks are used to set targets for the coming school year and to guide intervention staffing and curriculum priorities. Board members asked for additional cohort and grade‑level breakdowns showing how groups of students progressed over multiple years; Ludlow said staff can produce cohort reports and grade‑level growth by intervention on request.

Board follow-up requests included a cohort analysis (tracking a grade-level group across years), a breakdown of the drivers behind purchase-service increases linked to instruction, and a request that kindergarten fall testing be delayed slightly to allow newcomers to settle. Staff agreed to provide the requested cohort and intervention growth reports.