Denver, Nashua-Plainfield and Tripoli Community School Districts recently shared some exciting data that demonstrates the incredible impact of their collaboration with Central Rivers AEA math consultants who have been leading the implementation of SOAR into their math curriculum. What is SOAR? This research-based math intervention program guides students through essential math content with clear and systematic instruction.
Denver Community Schools
Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Denver Community Schools showed outstanding performance on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISAP). One student increased their score by 63 points, while another improved by 22 points. The student with the 63-point increase made progress equivalent to over two, almost three years!
Allie Schmidt, a special education teacher for Denver Elementary, said, “SOAR has helped me explain certain math curriculums that I wasn’t confident in explaining before. My students now understand math processes and can verbalize their reasoning, which they couldn’t do before.”
Tripoli Community School District
In Tripoli, an elementary teacher has been using the SOAR program with her intervention groups for the past two years. This year’s results mirrored last year’s successes – nearly three-quarters are already prepared for the next grade with those considered “at-risk” continuing to gain ground. This data, gathered from the spring 2024 aMath assessments from FastBridge, underscores the long-term benefits of consistent and targeted intervention.
Pamela Seehase, Curriculum Coordinator at Tripoli CSD, said “We access vital, high-quality training and materials through our local AEA. We have ongoing monthly AEA support, and all our teachers greatly appreciate it!”
Tracy Anderson, a special education teacher at Tripoli High School, added “I am very pleased with the growth in math scores through SOAR implementation. It’s important to consistently use high-quality materials and resources!”
Nashua-Plainfield Junior/Senior High
At Nashua-Plainfield, around 20 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) received extra help in math using SOAR and Specially-Designed Instruction (SDI). Nearly 80% of these students showed growth or proficiency on their 2024 ISASP math tests, with students making more than a year’s worth of progress, and some advancing by two or three years. The school has been using SOAR math materials for three years, and several students have completed all the SOAR math levels.
Sherri Lines, a special education teacher at Nashua-Plainfield CSD, said “My partnership with CRAEA has provided a SOAR curriculum for math intervention. The 20-minute lessons offer explicit instruction and have boosted my students’ confidence in their math skills. It’s been great!”
These results and stories of student success in the classroom are a testament to the power of collaboration and the positive outcomes that come from dedicated teamwork. Together, we are making a difference in the educational journeys of all our students!