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FUESD test scores higher on mid-year report

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Despite students missing in-person learning much of the prior school year, STAR testing scores improved in the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District according to a progress report presented at the Feb. 28 school board meeting.

The report, based on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, is likely a “first-time, one-time” state mandated assessment. The annual report will still be required at the end of the school year. This mid-year assessment was to help evaluate the impact COVID-19 has had on learning.

Superintendent Candace Singh said there would also be a more detailed study session – held virtually – on March 25 at 9 a.m. The meeting will include the principal from each of the district’s eight traditional elementary schools, as well as Potter Junior High School. There will be an assessment of each grade level for each of the schools.

Julie Norby, associate superintendent of educational services, was the primary presenter at the Feb. 28 meeting. She said scheduling of the report at this time was unusual because now is when she and her staff are working on preparing the end-of-year report.

Norby said the STAR reading and math baseline progress showed improvement for all levels other than grade 7. She said she couldn’t explain why there was a slight decline, but they were looking into reasons that both reading and math proficiency declined.

Districtwide, reading proficiency increased from 38.5% to 42.1% of students, Norby said. She was also pleased that the number of students needing urgent intervention also declined by 5.5%.

Math scores, Norby said, showed an increase of proficiency of 5%, with the number of challenged students decreasing by 4%. She added that 32% of students scored as being proficient in math.

Singh said the pandemic was so impactful that now the district hoped to see slow and significant growth. “This is a reflection on how hard our teachers are working,” she said.

“It takes time to see benefits in intervention,” Norby added.

The testing compared fall and winter scores, with the winter testing questions more difficult, she said.

The presentation included the “Three New Overarching District Goals,” identified as:

• Provide access to relevant, coherent, and rigorous standards-based instructional programs to improve student learning and increase student achievement.

• Ensure and nurture a safe climate that promotes the social, emotional and physical well-being of students, their families, and staff.

• Enhance strong family and community relationships that promote engagement, collaboration, and authentic partnerships to increase student outcomes.

Norby was pleased that the district has been able to maintain smaller class sizes to facilitate learning. She said the PreK-3 classes average 22 students, grades 4-5 average 25 students, grades 7-8 at Mary Fay Pendleton and San Onofre schools average 19 students, and at Potter Junior High School the average class size was 24.

She said teachers were appreciative of the additional resources available through federal funds.

Disruptions in attendance in December and January due to a spike in COVID-19 cases was a hindrance in creating better learning opportunities, Norby said. There was also difficulty in having enough substitute teachers.

“We’ve had a two-year interruption in learning, and it won’t be fixed in two months,” Singh said.

Norby said the district has a 3-year learning recovery plan.

Dr. Lea Curcio, director of curriculum and instruction, addressed the family and community engagement aspect. She said the district is always looking for new ways to connect with parents. She said the “coffee and conversation” meetings – both in person and virtual – have been effective, as well as new bilingual community support assistants. She also said teacher assistants from Cal State San Marcos have been a big help.

Cindi Marti, associate superintendent of business services, explained the financial aspects of the report were difficult because expenditures were calculated through Oct. 31 when the district was still establishing its spending.

Board members thanked the presenters and Suzanne Lundin, board president, said it was very useful to have information half-way through the school year.

“It was so much information, it was like drinking from a firehose,” said Singh.

 

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