Learning Connection

Bright splashes of paint, scraps of construction paper and bits of cardboard scattered across the floor — it might look like the aftermath of an art project. But step into Melissa Molde’s science classroom, and you’ll quickly realize this creative chaos is all part of her data-driven approach to teaching.

Scott Roberts, Blue Valley’s Executive Director of School Administration, and Leah Vomhof, Blue Valley Northwest’s Curriculum and Instruction Associate Principal, answer questions about the changes Blue Valley made to graduation requirements, the process behind the additional requirements and how these requirements benefit students.

A new assessment taking the place of MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing has made evaluating data easier for teachers and decreased testing time for students, allowing for more focused instruction time. Blue Valley started using Fastbridge at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. Fastbridge is an adaptive assessment, meaning it's tailored to each student. The test gets harder when students answer questions correctly and easier when students answer questions incorrectly.

When Blue Valley implemented its new K-8 math resource, iReady, at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, it was clear early on that it was a game-changer. By the end of the school year, teachers were astounded. The impact the math resource had on student learning led to assessment scores that exceeded expectations.