Danvers Public Schools reports significant midyear achievement gains across K-12 assessments

The Danvers School Committee meeting on April 7, 2025, highlighted significant advancements in student performance metrics, particularly in reading and math, as the district continues to enhance its educational strategies.

During the meeting, Mary Warmer presented a summary of the curriculum assessment subcommittee's findings, revealing promising mid-year assessment data. Notably, the DIBELS reading assessments for students in grades K-3 showed a 19% increase in achievement from the beginning to mid-year of the 2024-2025 school year, surpassing the previous year's 15% increase. This upward trend indicates effective instructional strategies and interventions being implemented in the elementary schools.

In addition to reading, the middle school reported a 15% increase in students scoring at or above grade level in English Language Arts (ELA) and a remarkable 32% increase in math proficiency. These results reflect the district's commitment to using data-driven approaches to identify and support students' specific learning needs.

At the high school level, the focus shifted to analyzing midterm data across various courses. The principal and curriculum director collaborated with course leaders to assess student performance, leading to the piloting of new programs like IXL for ELA, which has shown positive results in improving literacy skills.

The meeting underscored the district's dedication to continuous improvement and the importance of data in shaping educational practices. As the school year progresses, the Danvers School Committee remains focused on leveraging these insights to further enhance student learning outcomes and ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed.