VIENNA — Maries County R-1 Board of Education heard an in-depth presentation on student academic progress on Jan. 30, as Title One (I) Teacher Amber Schell shared data showing measurable growth in reading and math through the district’s use of the i-Ready diagnostic system.

Schell framed the data as a reflection of student effort and instructional change within the district.

“I just want to remind you that these are also kids,” Schell said. “So, I say that because we have kids that might not do great on this test, but it doesn’t mean they don’t know the stuff, or that they’re not going to be successful.”

Schell explained that Maries County R-1 began using i-Ready as a way to create consistent instruction across grade levels, starting in elementary school and expanding into middle school. The diagnostic is administered three times a year and is used to monitor individual growth rather than compare students against one another.

“The science of reading tells us that while other subjects can be learned through discovery, reading cannot,” Schell said. “It requires systematic and direct teaching instruction.”

According to data presented to the board, the district has seen steady improvement in elementary reading proficiency over multiple years. After the first year of implementation, approximately 30 percent of students were on or above grade level. That figure increased to more than 60 percent by the end of the second year and continued upward the following year.

Midyear results from the 2025-26 year show similar gains. At the start of the year, roughly 28 percent of students were on or above grade level. By December, that number had risen to 47 percent, indicating continued progress within Maries County classrooms.

One cohort of students, who have used i-Ready consistently since kindergarten, showed particularly strong results. That group entered the school year with nearly the same proficiency level they achieved at the end of the previous year, demonstrating minimal summer learning loss.

“I thought it was neat to note that when we took their first test, 60 percent were on or above,” Schell said. “The best thing was this group maintained it all summer, and then when they came back to us, we still had 89 percent.”

Schell said that the diagnostic adapts to each student, allowing them to compete against their own previous performance rather than a fixed benchmark.

“The diagnostic is set where, as you get questions right, it gets harder,” she said. “Kids are only competing against themselves, not a standard at the end.”

She noted that student engagement with the data has increased, with students regularly asking about their results and progress.

“Kids are really buying in and that’s something we haven’t had before,” Schell said. “When they’re finding me in the hallway asking, ‘How did I do?’ that’s huge.”

Teachers were repeatedly credited as a key factor in the district’s improvement, with Schell pointing to collaboration, instructional adjustments and accountability as driving forces behind the gains.

“It’s just paper and computer screens if you don’t have great teachers to bring it to life,” Schell said. “Our teachers have really done that for us.”

The district’s progress also drew outside recognition. Schell told the board that representatives from i-Ready contacted Maries County R-1 after reviewing the data.

“They (representatives) said, ‘You guys showed some of the best progress we’ve ever seen,’” Schell said. “We want to celebrate your teachers, because we know that is not because of the program. We know it’s because of the people who were doing it.”

Schell closed her presentation by describing the work as ongoing and focused on long-term success for Maries County students.

“Our mission is in progress,” she said. “And I feel like we’re ahead of schedule.”