How do we know our students are learning and succeeding?
It’s an important question, and one that can’t be answered by a single number. Student success can vary greatly for each individual child.
State assessments are one important tool for understanding student achievement. They help us see how students are performing in key academic areas, identify trends over time, and better understand where we’re making progress and where additional attention may be needed.
All schools in the School District of the Menomonie Area met or exceeded expectations on last year’s Wisconsin State Accountability Report Cards. This is an important piece of information given that these reports measure student achievement, academic growth over multiple years, and several career, college, and life readiness indicators like graduation and attendance rates.
Over the next several weeks, SDMA teachers, administrators, and school board members will be reviewing updated accountability reports, school & student learning objectives, and initial student achievement screening data for this year.
But assessment results are most valuable when we use them to ask the next question: What do we do with what we’ve learned? SDMA educators use this information to plan for classroom instruction, develop priorities for providing student supports, and to identify areas for professional development. Our schools use achievement data, along with what educators see every day in classrooms, to identify strengths, understand where students may need additional support, and continually improve teaching and learning. The goal isn’t simply a better score. It’s helping more students learn, grow, and be prepared for what comes next.
Supporting the Whole Student
Academic measures tell us important things about student progress, but they aren’t the whole picture. Students are better positioned to learn when they feel safe, connected, welcomed, and supported.
We also know young people can face challenges that aren’t always visible in a classroom or reflected in a test score. At different points, students may experience stress, anxiety, loss, family challenges, bullying, or other situations where they need additional support.
That’s why supporting student success means caring about the whole student, not only how they’re doing academically, but also whether they have the relationships, resources, and support they need to thrive.
Our schools are here to help. Students and families can reach out to a building principal, school counselor, teacher, or other trusted district staff member when they have questions, concerns, or need assistance. The district also provides instruction, resources, and support related to mental health, suicide prevention, bullying awareness, and other student needs.
Sometimes knowing when a student needs additional support isn’t as easy to measure as a test score. But it’s every bit as important to the services provided as a public school district.
We Want to Hear From You
Understanding how our students and schools are doing also requires listening to our community. School Board members will continue hosting Community Listening Sessions throughout the year as an informal opportunity to ask questions, share what’s important to you, and help us better understand the perspectives of those we serve.
October Community Listening Session
Friday, October 16 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Don & Nona Williams Stadium
During the MHS football game
Additional opportunities will continue throughout the school year. Watch the district website and social media for future dates and locations.
Whether we’re looking at achievement data, supporting a student through a difficult moment, or listening to our community, the goal is the same: understanding the whole picture so we can help every student succeed.
School District of the Menomonie Area sdmaonline.com
District Office: 215 Pine Avenue E, Menomonie, Phone: 715-232-1642