School Trustees Receive Curriculum Update
Dan Horsmon, the Wolf Point School District’s curriculum and assessment director, provided a report to the school board on Monday, Jan. 12, regarding items accomplished and different challenges during the past six quarters.
Areas covered included curriculum development, instructional leadership, assessment implementation, data analysis and compliance.
Horsmon said key areas of focus during the past six quarters have included:
• Development, review and renewal of core and elective curricula.
• Creation and revision of curriculum maps to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment.
• Leadership and support for teachers through professional development, coaching and instructional guidance.
• Oversight and implementation of district and statewide assessments.
• Analysis of academic, attendance and behavioral data to inform interventions and support student growth.
• Maintenance of compliance with Montana Test Security agreements and other regulatory requirements.
Assessment and data analysis for the 2024-2025 school year included that Wolf Point demonstrated strong early elementary math growth, supported in large part by the targeted efforts of the district’s intervention specialists, who provided data-driven instruction and academic supports to students most in need. Reading growth remained uneven across grade levels, indicating areas for continued intervention and instructional refinement. Attendance trends declined as students progressed into secondary grades. Patterns highlight the close connection between attendance, behavior and academic performance.
Key district-wide trends, according to Horsmon’s report, are:
• Math growth strongest in grades K-4, then declines in upper grades.
• Reading growth remains consistently lower, especially in grades 4-10.
• Attendance drops significantly in secondary grades.
• Referrals increase sharply in grades 6-7, suggesting need for behavioral supports.
Wolf Point has achieved full or near-full participation in all assessments, ensuring compliance with state and federal testing requirements. Completion of these assessments provides critical data for monitoring student academic growth, informing instructional decisions and supporting reporting needs at the district and state levels.
