Our fourth-quarter reading results are in and all six MPSD elementary schools made continued gains in the number of students reading at their grade level or above! Our two middle schools had a decline in reading scores in the fourth quarter, which caused a slight dip in our districtwide score; however, the middle school scores are double-digits higher than the start of the school year.
District-wide, 47% of students were proficient/reading at grade level in the fourth quarter, up 16 percentage points from 31% at the start of the year (see the red and dark gold bars in the chart).
42% of middle school students and 50% of elementary students were reading at grade level.
A total of 407 more student across the district were reading at grade level by the end of the school year, including 96 students at Washington Middle School.
Three of our six elementary schools had more than 50% of students reading at grade level (62% at Franklin, 60% at Jackson and 57% at Riverview).
These quarterly scores are based on three sources: our new science of reading curriculum called Success for All (SFA), FastBridge (a nationally-normed assessment), and teacher/SFA facilitator observations.
Based on the FastBridge alone, 45% of district-wide students were proficient in reading in the fourth quarter, compared to the 47% district-wide score combining SFA, FastBridge and teacher/SFA facilitator observations. That 45% FastBridge reading score was up 5 percentage points from fall.
FastBridge scores students’ college readiness, assessing whether they are college pathway ready, low risk, some risk or high risk. In math, 50% of district-wide students scored as college pathway ready or low risk on the FastBridge fourth quarter assessment, up 3 percentage points from fall.
We expect these quarterly gains will translate into similar improvements on the state's spring Forward Exam, which is used for DPI’s District and School Report Cards. Those results will be released next fall.
Thank you to all of our MPSD principals, teachers, SFA facilitators and coordinators, staff, families and students for everything you are doing at school and at home to improve reading! 
Keep reading and practicing your math facts this summer! 📚 Students are encouraged to continue reading at least 20 minutes at least four days a week. The Manitowoc Public Library has a wonderful all-ages summer reading program with weekly prizes. If you show your library card, you can ride the city bus to and from the library for free on Wednesdays.