Midway ISD students began the school year with elementary reading averages above national norms and a majority of assessed secondary students scoring above national averages in reading and mathematics, according to beginning-of-year progress monitoring data presented to the Board of Trustees in October.
The report provides the first checkpoint in the district’s yearlong process of assessing student learning, tailoring instruction and measuring growth.
“This is the process we follow each year,” said Dr. Becky Odajima, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We assess where students are beginning, compare that with where they finished last year and develop a plan to help them move forward. These results give teachers the information they need to support students and challenge them to excel.”
Midway uses three adaptive assessment tools: NWEA MAP Growth for elementary reading, Tango LION for elementary mathematics and IXL for secondary reading and mathematics. Together, they help educators identify students’ current skills and determine where additional support or more advanced instruction is needed.
Highlights from this fall’s assessments include:
- Elementary reading averages exceeded national fall norms in every grade from kindergarten through fifth grade on NWEA MAP.
- 60% of assessed secondary students scored above the national average in reading and language arts on IXL.
- 77% of assessed secondary students scored above the national average in mathematics on IXL.
- Grade-level results identified specific learning needs, giving teachers direction for targeted instruction and support.
National comparisons provide one perspective on achievement, while grade-level measures help teachers identify the skills students need to develop during the year. Administrators, instructional specialists and teachers use both to guide their work.
“The beginning-of-year assessment is a starting point,” Odajima said. “We expect students to have skills they still need to develop. Our responsibility is to use that information purposefully, monitor their progress and adjust instruction so they continue growing.”
Last school year, the district’s fall assessments were followed by steady elementary reading growth and mathematics progress at midyear. Final STAAR results showed Midway students exceeding state performance in nearly every tested grade-level and subject comparison.
Educators will review this year’s progress through midyear assessments this winter, providing another opportunity to evaluate growth and refine instruction.
“Our goal is strong achievement and meaningful growth for every student,” Odajima said. “Knowing where students are today helps us plan where they need to go next.”
