Katy ISD’s board of trustees met briefly on March 30, twice going into closed session in order to confer with attorneys, review staff contracts and hear a parent grievance.

Two students spoke during public comments – one protesting the phase-out of the German language program, the other on a request for credit by examination on a language not taught in the district. Concerns were address by Deputy Superintendent Leslie Haack, who explained that students currently enrolled in German will be able to finish their requirements before graduating, and that the credit by examination could not be extended for the other language since the district was unable to administer all required tests which demonstrate complete language mastery.

The board also heard a presentation from Natalie Martinez executive director of school improvement, on the district’s “Measures of Academic Progress (MAP-NWEA), a balanced assessment tool now in use across all elementary campuses in grades K-5. The system is used not only as a diagnostic tool but is also used to shape instruction, Martinez said. For students, the adaptive assessment measures progress over time, she said, and identifies learning gaps early. For teachers, it offers actionable data to inform instruction and evaluate instructional strategies. At the district level, the program provides nationally-normed data and can measure growth and achievement, with linking to the state STAAR test and aligned with the state’s expectations.

Assessments are given at the beginning, middle and end of year – a model which state testing is also moving toward, Martinez said. Testing begins with a single adaptive assessment which adjusts in real time, asking more and more difficult questions until a student misses an answer. ] If a student misses an answer, the system makes the next question easier. The 40-question test will find the “just right” level for each child, she said, which is translated into a student profile. Data is aggregated into percentiles and compared with similar students across the country. Data can be viewed at the district, school, class and student level.

The new tool has completed two of the three-tests in the annual cycle, with the third test scheduled before the end of the school year. Results are being reviewed and principals and MAP ambassadors are participating in professional development to improve understanding of the tool. Weekly digests can be shared with parents, and the Katy ISD website has been updated to include more information about the program. More information will be pushed out to parents next year, Martinez said.

The board also voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting “the free exercise of religion in KISD schools,” as required by SB 11, adopting an amendment proposed by board member Mary Ellen Cuzela in the March 23 work study meeting, which acknowledged that the district already provides a daily time for optional prayer or meditation. The acquisition of new library books was also approved, without the three books which were pulled from the list in the March 23 meeting.

Future meeting of the board:

· Work study: April 13

· Regular board meeting: April 20