Superintendents discuss education scorecard results

A recent study found Idaho's schools ranked 30th in math recovery and 38th in reading from 2019–24. While some local districts show progress in the post-pandemic educational landscape, others continue working to create more stable learning environments.

The Education Recovery Scorecard, a joint effort between Harvard and Stanford universities, measures academic recovery following pandemic disruptions. Their third report, released earlier this month, showed 91% of Idaho students below 2019 math achievement levels and 96% below reading levels.

The study also examines district income levels, finding that academic recovery typically moves faster in higher-income districts.

Wallace shows math gains

The Wallace School District data reveals students averaging almost half a grade level ahead in math. Before the pandemic, they were slightly above grade level but managed to gain ground over the next four years.

WSD sits on the higher side of the median income, with 496 students enrolled and just over 41% receiving free or reduced lunch.

Superintendent Todd Howard credits his district's math success to strategic staffing changes at both schools.

"At the WJSH we hired an additional middle school teacher which allowed for smaller classes, provided additional intervention periods and created a collaborative team that focuses on student data," Howard said. 

At the elementary school, he said changes were made to the math intervention staff. For this school year, two paraprofessional positions were combined, which allowed the district to hire a certificated teacher.

"Our intentions are to continue with the hyper-focus on math instruction and student performance into and beyond the '25-'26 school year," he said.

Kellogg faces different challenges

The story differs for Kellogg School District, which serves 1,129 students across four schools. Nearly 76% of these students receive free or reduced lunch, the seventh-highest percentage among tracked districts.

According to the ERS, Kellogg is one of six districts that have fallen behind by more than one grade level in both math and reading since 2019. On average, KSD students were just below grade level in mathematics in 2019, but that number has fallen to 1.16 grade levels behind. Reading scores have seen an even steeper decline, dropping 2.15 grade levels over four years.

Superintendent Lance Pearson highlighted the district's efforts to address those challenges, including implementing a four-day school week for the 2024-25 school year.

Pearson also pointed to areas of growth, including music programs, high extracurricular participation, expanded CTE programs and implementation of a new behavior program.

Pearson said standardized testing in low-income areas often reflects challenges beyond schools' control.

"Research consistently shows that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to score lower on standardized tests compared to their higher socioeconomic peers," Pearson said. "One cannot separate test scores from lower socioeconomic factors."

The district has made progress in reducing absenteeism this school year, largely due to the four-day schedule. Additionally, 100% of elementary and middle school students receive free lunch through a USDA grant, addressing food insecurity concerns.

Other challenges remain, including facility overcrowding and staff retention.

"We have tentative plans in place to help with easing our overcrowding in our elementary schools," Pearson said. "Because facility improvements often require running a bond, we would like to see more enrollment data to ensure our high numbers in our elementary schools are a trend as opposed to a bubble."

Info: www.educationrecoveryscorecard.org