Superintendent: assessment results show broad growth; third‑grade retention risk narrowed

Superintendent Dr. Wood told the Alma School District board on May 14 that preliminary assessment results show growth in many grade levels and subjects and that the district received the data quickly enough to use it for placement and planning.

Dr. Wood called attention to a reduction in third‑grade students at risk of retention: while 39 students initially scored at the lowest level, staff reviewed good‑cause exemptions under state guidance and identified 11 students as still at risk after that process. She described the reduction as a result of targeted instructional work and administrator review but emphasized the exemptions process is part of state policy.

Dr. Wood also reported kindergarten registration at 140 (compared with 149 at the same point last year), 61 incoming school‑choice requests and seven outgoing, noting this year’s school‑choice deadline is June 1 rather than the customary May 1. She said total K‑12 enrollment stands at 2,990 with 60 pre‑K students and that pre‑K seats are reportedly full for next year.

District staff noted that primary‑school assessment data had been temporarily rescinded by the state and that results are available to parents through the Atlas portal; staff committed to share portal access guidance. Dr. Wood said the district will follow up with more detailed comparisons to state results and internal grade‑level breakdowns in future reports.