Beverly Schools Report Strong Attendance, Narrowing Learning Gaps Amid Pandemic

BEVERLY — December 2, 2020 — Beverly's curriculum subcommittee hears strong attendance and benchmark gains across all seven schools. The School Committee Subcommittee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life met December 2 in a remote session chaired by Rachel Abel, with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Donna Flaherty presenting data showing average daily attendance above 90 percent at every school from September 16 through November 30 — North Beverly leading at 95 percent and Beverly High School at 90.5 percent. Special Education Director Bethany Splansky reported the district is on pace to fall below the federally mandated 1 percent threshold for students taking the MCAS alternative assessment, crediting co-teaching expansion now operating in all seven buildings with national consultant Lisa Dieker. Dr. Andre Morgan announced that a revised Title IX policy reflecting new federal regulations — expanding due process protections and sexual harassment definitions — is being drafted by the district's attorney and will be presented for subcommittee review at the January 6 meeting. Fall benchmark data showed identified learning gaps in second-grade phonics and fourth-grade fractions, but Flaherty said targeted reteaching and a focused academic schedule have already produced "significant gains," with many gaps described as fully closed.