Yuki Rockwell, interim coordinator of literacy performance, presented a primary-literacy update to the District 49 board on Oct. 23, reporting that the district’s K–3 interim assessment (DIBELS eighth) shows improvement and that the district is approaching its stated goal of 80 percent proficiency for K–3.

Rockwell said that across district-operated K–3 and three charter schools, the district reduced the share of students “at risk” from about 29 percent at the beginning of the prior year to roughly 12 percent at the end of the year. She reported a district K–3 end-of-year proficiency of 73 percent in the earlier baseline and noted the most recent figure of 77 percent, putting the district closer to its 80 percent target.

The presentation also noted DIBELS-to-STAR correlations, kindergarten and first-grade STAR Early Literacy rates (reported as approximately 55–60 percent in the fall snapshot), and an aim to reduce the number of students performing well below benchmark by 50 percent. Rockwell described zone-level initiatives for writing across the curriculum and middle-school supports such as the Scribe consulting work and instructional framework changes.

Board members thanked Rockwell for the update and asked questions about preschool enrollment tracking and STRIVE (a provider name discussed in the meeting). Rockwell said she would follow up with the preschool team to see whether preschool enrollment is tracked in a way that links to kindergarten baseline scores.

Outcome: Information item; no vote recorded in the provided transcript. Rockwell said the district will continue alignment work and report back on progress.