District posts gains on Atlas summative tests; administrators outline retention and next steps

District academic leaders told the board that raw Atlas summative assessment data show measurable improvements across grade bands and content areas.

Dr. Amanda Bard said the district’s unadjusted data show a drop in students classified as "in need of support" in ELA from 45% to 35% districtwide — a change Bard said represents roughly 300 scholars moving out of that category. Math saw gains as well, with districtwide need‑support percentages falling from 57% to 51%, and K–2 ELA improved from 45% down to 22% need‑support. Bard acknowledged science remained a weaker area but said new curriculum adoptions for science and biology would be a focus for coaching next year.

Bard explained that the figures she presented were raw snapshots from the Atlas portal and that state adjustments (such as excluding highly mobile students or applying growth calculations) are still pending. She described the state‑authorized good‑cause exemptions that can remove a third‑grader from retention consideration — for example, significant cognitive disability, English‑learner status, prior retention, intensive support already in place, or an isolated traumatic event — and said the district is retesting level‑one scholars during a retest window through June 3 to reduce retention counts.

Board members asked about likely retention numbers; Bard noted that of an initial 131 third‑grade level‑one students, many had good‑cause exemptions and the current review suggested only a small number might remain on a retention list after retesting and exemptions were applied.