by Paddy Shea
The latest Nation’s Report Card offers both hope and concern. Math scores have inched up from pandemic lows, but reading results still lag below pre-pandemic levels. Yet a few large districts—Baltimore City Public Schools, Guilford County Public Schools, and the San Diego Unified School District—led students to “exceptionally high” reading scores, according to an NPR analysis of the data.
Another thing they all have in common: Using Sibme to develop teachers and support administrators. We’re proud to partner with each of these districts, and especially proud of the work the teachers, principals and administrators on the ground
Baltimore stands out in particular. Last academic year, 44% of standardized-tested Baltimore public schools landed a rating of three stars or higher, compared to 35% in 2022-23. Twenty-six Baltimore City schools showed improvement, gaining at least another star. Furley Elementary School and Yorkwood Elementary School went from one to three stars, according to 2023-24 data released last month.
This latest round of fourth-graders, who were in kindergarten at the pandemic’s onset, highlight why targeted interventions matter. Districts that used federal pandemic aid strategically—for tutoring, instructional coaching like Sibme, and support for low-income families—are seeing promising results. Even so, policymakers must do more to address longstanding challenges.
Annotated, video-recorded lessons on Sibme improved teaching performance on edTPA, according to a San Diego State University study. By allowing candidates to rewatch specific moments and see time-stamped comments, the videos prompted deeper self-reflection and targeted skill-building. Teacher-candidates reported greater awareness of their instructional decisions and an enhanced ability to make quick adjustments.
As Baltimore, Guilford County, and San Diego show, success is possible with the right approach. By prioritizing early reading skills and ensuring that every child is in school, leaders can help students make up lost ground.
