CCCCSD reviews academic goals

Ozona—CCCCSD trustees reviewed five-year academic goals during their Oct. 21meeting, hearing proposals to strengthen early reading instruction, use assessment data more precisely and increase the percentage of third graders meeting grade-level standards.

The board also received an evaluation showing 12 students had qualified to exit the district’s English as a Second Language program and heard a warning from the superintendent about spectator behavior at athletic events. 

Reading and math targets 

The academic presentation focused on three areas: third-grade reading, third-grade mathematics, and college, career and military readiness.

The reading goal presented would increase the percentage of third graders scoring at the “Meets Grade Level” standard or above from 53% in June 2026 to 70% by June 2031. The mathematics target would increase that percentage from 30% to 70% over the same period.

For college, career and military readiness, administrators presented a target of increasing the percentage of graduates meeting the criteria from 91% in August 2026 to 95% by August 2031. 

Administrators cautioned that the third-grade percentages represent different groups of children each year rather than tracking the same students over five years. They emphasized regularly reviewing the goals and examining performance in kindergarten through second grade to determine whether students are on track before reaching third grade. 

The district has changed its phonics program to Reading Horizons after identifying concerns about the transition from kindergarten to first grade. First-grade teachers had reported a substantial instructional step up, and administrators said midyear assessment results would help show whether the change is addressing that gap. 

Administrators also described plans to use NWEA MAP assessment data for more targeted conversations with teachers about individual students’ needs. The presentation emphasized that measuring academic growth alone is not enough if students remain below the performance levels associated with meeting grade-level standards on the state assessment. 

ESL evaluation 

The district’s 2025–2026 annual bilingual/ESL program evaluation reported that 12 emergent bilingual students qualified for reclassification and exited the program, including eight at the elementary school.

Fifteen students achieved the required English-language proficiency assessment result. Three did not meet the additional reading assessment requirement and remain in the program. 

Staff described monitoring student progress every six weeks and continuing to monitor students for two years after they exit the program.

The evaluation identified reading, listening and writing as areas needing attention. It also called for greater participation in professional development, particularly among teachers working directly with emergent bilingual students. 

Administrators discussed the need for additional ESL certification among secondary teachers, identifying four high school teachers and one middle school teacher for the district’s waiver process.

Spectator conduct

Superintendent Raul Chavarria urged spectators to support students and coaches and avoid profanity, ridicule and disruptive criticism at athletic events.

He described the problem as involving a small percentage of fans but said their behavior can undermine the positive experiences of students, families and other spectators. 

The superintendent said disruptive spectators could be removed and warned that repeated incidents could lead to penalties, including the loss of home-game privileges. People with concerns were encouraged to bring them directly to district officials rather than express them through disruptive conduct.

The superintendent said an officials shortage had already required moving a game to Saturday and described hostile spectator behavior as a broader challenge to recruiting officials. 

Student travel 

A middle school report outlined a June 2027 educational trip with 32 students and adults signed up. The itinerary includes three days in Washington, D.C. and two days in New York.

Families are responsible for trip costs, with scholarship opportunities available through EF Education First and fundraising options. A possible partnership for another trip in June 2028 was also discussed.

In a facilities update, the superintendent reported that visiting athletes had used the new visitors’ dressing facility at the most recent home game. A final walkthrough and remaining punch-list work were still pending, including connecting the water heater to electrical power. 

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

This article was created with artificial intelligence and edited by staff.