An update on the Strategic Plan was presented to the PSD Board of Education at their Aug. 27, 2024, meeting. During the update, Superintendent Brian Kingsley praised PSD staff for the efforts that led to the literacy, mental health, and graduation gains and the positive impacts this work has already had on students.
“I cannot find another school district around that has these kinds of results, and I want us to take a moment to thank our teachers, our classified staff, our school and district leaders, for their intentional effort around buying into something bigger than themselves and getting dialed in to make sure that our students are reaching their potential,” Kingsley said.Literacy
PSD students in kindergarten through third grade are showing more and more growth on DIBELS early literacy tests, with 74.7% scoring at or above grade level expectations this spring (up from 66.8% in spring 2021).
During the first year of the Strategic Plan, PSD supported Literacy by:
- Implementing new elementary-level literacy curricula
- Removing materials that don’t use current best practices for literacy
- Offering multiple professional learning and coaching opportunities for staff
Mental Health & Belonging
Both PSD middle school and high school students who took the 2023-24 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey were more likely than their peers statewide to say their stress level is manageable most days, they have an adult to go to for help with a serious problem, and they usually feel comfortable talking to a friend about their feelings.
During the first year of the Strategic Plan, PSD supported Mental Health & Belonging by:
- Adding 29 positions that support mental health and starting a partnership with Colorado State University to bring Master of Social Work students and graduate into schools as interns and fellows; Efforts are supported by $13.9 million in grants (See Launch of mental health program with CSU and PSD awarded grant to bolster mental health supports >>)
- Increasing access to community partners
- Aligning mental health services, including cross-training
- Creating communications and materials to increase student awareness of mental health resources and wellness tips (See PSD Mental Health Resources >>)
Graduate With Options
The on-time graduation rate for PSD students has remained above the state average for several years and was 86.9% for the Class of 2023 (most recent data available).
During the first year of the Strategic Plan, PSD supported students to Graduate With Options by:
- Updating graduation requirements to give students more academic options aligned to their future goals
- Updating the diploma processes for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Multilingual Learners
- Adding an automotive pathway and a behavioral health pathway at the PSD Career Tech Center (formerly the Futures Lab)
- Increasing student and family awareness of student opportunities to earn free college credit, certifications, and degrees while still in high school
To learn more, go to: Strategic Plan update: First year accomplishments and year two goals | Poudre School District (psdschools.org)
