Superintendent highlights Malden Reads, testing opt-ins and accountability measures

Superintendent Noriega-Murphy opened the district report by introducing Jodie Zalk, who presented the Malden Reads initiatives aimed at supporting Malden Public Schools students. Mayor Christenson, Mr. Weldai and the superintendent thanked Malden Reads for its work benefiting students.

Assistant Superintendent Pam MacDonald briefed the committee on COVID-19 testing: symptomatic and pooled testing continue in schools, and families who opt in may receive at-home test kits. MacDonald said the district posts the required forms on the Malden Public Schools website and that caregivers received emails from principals; paper consent forms were also sent home. She clarified that families must complete two separate forms — one authorizing symptomatic and pooled testing at school and a second authorizing receipt and use of at-home kits.

On accountability, Superintendent Noriega-Murphy described the district’s data: accountability measures for Malden High School draw on graduation rates, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and MCAS-Alt results, dropout rates and attendance. She said the district prefers the newer accountability system based on attainable points rather than the older level-based approach. In response to questions from Mayor Christenson, she explained that a drop in i-Ready scores between June and September 2021 reflected baseline testing when students returned to school and noted that scores improved later in the year. She invited MHS Principal Mastrangelo to provide detailed information about the high school’s accountability indicators at the next meeting.

MacDonald also reported that an LPN had been hired and would begin work the coming Monday but that recruiting additional nurses has been challenging in the current job market.