The Ames School Board saw a discrepancy in student testing scores between state and district assessments during its Monday meeting. ​

Using state-provided scale scores, the board was able to compare Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) student scores with Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test scores.

The scores did not align, Associate Superintendent Jeff Hawkins said in his presentation to the board.

“This is some interesting data because two of the data sets are a bit contradictory of each other,” Hawkins said.

The district had a goal for its students to “demonstrate growth across program and demographic groups, as measured by district and state grade level reading and math assessments,” according to board documents.

For the state assessment, scale scores revealed that the percentage of students taking the ISASP who met expected growth dropped by 6.9%. For the 2024 to 2025 school year, the overall percent was 59.2%, and at 52.3% during the school year prior.

Compared to the math screening assessment, the resulting percentages were misaligned.

“Based upon their individual screener and how that screener defines the concept of adequate growth collectively, all of our students are growing in the area of math, which is weird because you’d think that would align really nicely with ISASP, and in this case, it did not,” Hawkins said.

The percentage of students who met the expected growth in their math performance increased by 3.5%, according to the MAP test scores. In the English section of the assessment, the percentage of students who met the expected growth increased by 4.2%

Scores in ’24-’25 sat at 54.2% and jumped during the ’25-’26 testing session to 57.8%.

Student enrollment decline in elementary and middle schools

​Superintendent Scott Grimes led a board conversation on current and projected enrollments.

​Ames Elementary (K-5) enrollment is currently down 126 students for next school year, with projected enrollment at 1,722 compared to 1,848 last school year.​

Middle school and high school enrollment is projected to increase by seven, from 2,570 students last school year to 2,577 for next school year.

​“At this time, we are not seeing significant programmatic changes. However, lower enrollment can affect class sizes, staffing levels, and the distribution of resources across buildings,” Ames School District Communications Director Amy Delashmutt told the Ames Voice.

Due to the smaller class sizes, two empty kindergarten staffing positions will not be filled this coming school year.

“The district had two vacant teaching positions that will not be filled,” Delashmutt said. “We very regularly review enrollment data and make adjustments as needed to ensure resources are being used effectively and responsibly while continuing to meet the needs of our students and maintain the quality educational experience families expect.”

​However, those choices can change as enrollment fluctuates.

“It’s important to note that enrollment remains fluid throughout the summer, and families continue to register for the upcoming school year,” Delashmutt said. “We will continue to monitor closely.”

​In other business

• The board approved a new policy for competency-based education. Students will be able to earn graduation credits by showing proficiency in nontraditional pathways.
• The board approved a new policy related to unmanned aircraft and drones. Any drones or unmanned aircraft are prohibited on district property or the space above district property.
• The board continues to discuss policies introduced on May 19, including an AI-related policy. If passed, the policy will integrate generative AI into the classroom.
• Next meeting: 5:30 p.m. on July 13 at the Ames District Office, 2005 24th St.