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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SCOTTVILLE — Reports from Mason County Central Schools’ elementary principals have identified concerns about student academic performance, attention spans and attendance, while also showing encouraging academic growth among students in grades three through five.
The reports, prepared for the Mason County Central Board of Education’s Monday, Oct. 19 meeting, outline the results of fall academic assessments and efforts to address students’ educational needs.
Scottville Elementary identifies concerns
Scottville Elementary Principal Chris Etchison reported that the school conducted fall academic data reviews Oct. 12 and 13, examining student performance in kindergarten through second grade. Scottville Elementary serves as the district’s lower elementary, housing grades kindergartent through second.
The school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team identified several areas of concern, including low academic levels across all three grades, limited academic stamina and attention spans, and difficulties with language usage and understanding directions.
The team also identified a significant number of second-grade students requiring additional academic interventions.
According to the report, staff members raised questions about whether online testing affects students’ ability to solve problems and apply their knowledge.
The report did not provide specific academic achievement scores or comparisons with previous years.
Attendance was another area of concern identified in the report.
According to Etchison, every classroom already has students being monitored for attendance problems and repeated tardiness. Five students had accumulated between three and seven absences, while four students had three or more tardies.
The report stated that students with multiple absences were the same students who experienced truancy problems during the previous school year.
School staff members are considering ways to encourage improved attendance among families with recurring truancy issues.
Scottville Elementary is also reviewing its instructional support programs and intervention strategies in response to the fall assessment findings.
Upper Elementary reports academic growth
While Scottville Elementary identified challenges among younger students, MCC Upper Elementary reported positive academic growth among students in grades three through five.
Principal Jessica Danielson reported that the school’s fall Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) testing had been completed.
The school’s overall achievement results were at the 40th percentile in mathematics and 37th percentile in reading.
Those figures indicate that overall achievement was below the national median. However, students in all three grades exceeded the national median for academic growth in both subjects.
Reading growth among third-grade students was at the 53rd percentile, fourth-grade students at the 52nd percentile and fifth-grade students at the 54th percentile.
The results indicate that although overall academic achievement remains below the national median, students are demonstrating progress at rates above the national median.
Upper Elementary has also begun its WIN (What I Need) instructional periods, which provide targeted academic assistance to students based on their assessment results.
Danielson also reported strong attendance figures during the school’s October attendance competition. Third-grade students recorded an average attendance rate of 97.5%, followed by fourth grade at 96.7% and fifth grade at 96.2%.
Preparing for new literacy requirements
Both elementary schools are preparing to implement requirements under Michigan Public Act 146, which addresses literacy instruction and dyslexia screening.
Etchison reported that Scottville Elementary’s English language arts team is reviewing state-approved screening assessments to determine which tools will best serve students.
Staff members are expected to examine the available assessments during a professional development day Nov. 2. The school anticipates making a final decision on a screening tool by the end of January.
Upper Elementary staff members are also working on curriculum planning and implementation of the new literacy requirements.
MCC High School is examining reading screening tools for students in grades nine through 12, according to Principal Brian Dotson’s October report. Dotson noted that relatively few assessments are designed to efficiently evaluate reading levels among secondary students.
The high school is considering an assessment known as CUBED-3, although a final decision has not been made.
The academic reports are scheduled to be presented during the Mason County Central Board of Education meeting Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. in the MCC High School Community Room, accessed next to the Central Business Office on the northeastern corner of the high school complex.
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