Principals showcase elementary gains and targets for reading and math

SC Johnson principal Joe Went told the board the school launched a goal‑oriented reading chart for K–5, added monthly AimsWeb checks and instructed teachers to identify two or three students per roster for intensified intervention to close achievement gaps. “We introduced a goal oriented reading chart for all of our students K through fifth grade,” Went said, describing color‑coded progress markers and student goal setting designed to boost oral reading fluency.

Went acknowledged declines in some measures the prior year, described a shift from culture‑building to instruction in year two, and said the school has hired reading and math coaches to provide small‑group support. He noted staff track growth monthly and are awaiting Forward exam results to confirm gains.

Frat Elementary principal Kelly Goggins and assistant Kathleen Cern presented a video from a district writing pilot (now called Releasing Writers) that they said shows student progression from picture responses to organized paragraphs. Goggins said staff also concentrated on unit‑assessment analysis and vertical alignment for math, and set a growth‑score goal for math to mirror ELA gains.

Board members praised the presentations and asked for clearer slide explanations and citations for some growth metrics. Several trustees emphasized the importance of continuing the districtwide initiatives and thanked teachers for implementing new routines in literacy and math instruction.

The district did not take formal action on the presentations; principals will continue to provide implementation updates and share Forward alignment results when available.