Media Advisory           
August 5, 2008

Office of Community Relations, Contact: Howie Padilla
Office: (651) 767-8104, Cell: (612) 251-5714   
                       
All student groups also make increases in test participation, attendance and graduation rates

Saint Paul, Minn – All Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) student groups made gains inthis year’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), a state measurement ofperformance in academics – reading and math – and other indicators suchas test participation rates, attendance rates and graduation rates.

“Although the gains are encouraging in many respects, it’s not enough,”said Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, “We will redouble our efforts toachieve the targets. We are committed to this work until every studentmeets or exceeds the standards.”

The news about gains of those student groups – including the fiveidentified racial groups, special education students, English languagelearners, and students in poverty – provides a snapshot of thedistrict's performance last year. Despite these gains, the districtmissed targets in 14 out of 38 categories and, therefore, as adistrict, SPPS did not make AYP standards for the second consecutiveyear, as state targets increased again.

“We have not been waiting for the state to tell us it’s time to act,”Meria Carstarphen, superintendent of schools, said. “We continue toseek out what works best for Saint Paul Public Schools students andtake immediate action.”

Strategies to address AYP launched last year include embeddedprofessional development – on-site coaching in the classroom forteachers in real time with students – district-wide, math curriculumalignment and several school program changes such as the successfulexpansion of Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet into Cleveland Junior HighSchool. This year’s focus includes the new Shared AccountabilityFramework implementation, cultural proficiency training, early literacyattainment, effective transitions between grade levels, classroommanagement and partnership expansion and alignment.

Overall, SPPS, like many neighboring districts, saw mixed outcomes withthis year’s results. However, some schools in the district are guidinglights on the horizon. Six schools this year came off the list ofschools identified as not making AYP: Adams Spanish Immersion Magnet,Ames Elementary, Frost Lake Magnet, Hayden Heights Elementary, HighlandPark Elementary and John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary.

For example, Ames Elementary School successfully moved out of“corrective action,” one of the lowest designations in the state’saccountability classification system. Ames’ success is attributable toresearch based practices such as students attending Saturday school,principal leadership and a school-wide belief that all students willachieve greatness. Working hand-in-hand with students, families, andthe community, Ames achieved the ever-increasing standard set by the NoChild Left Behind federal mandate in reading and math.

“The work being done at Ames is extraordinary,” said SuperintendentMeria Carstarphen. “The leadership and staff also call in every chipthey have with the community to get the job done for kids.”

There are schools that have made great strides in a short time.Highland Park Senior High School, for instance, showed a 20.7percentage point improvement in the percent of students who wereproficient in reading.

“Students stayed after school and worked with staff to get their workdone,” said Highland Park Principal Nancy Katzmarek, who took over theschool last year. “And the families worked to accommodate thescheduling because they realized how important it was.”

All seven comprehensive high schools made gains in math and reading.

All student groups made gains in reading and math, but not enough forthe district to make all state targets, based on the state performanceindex for AYP. American Indian students, for example, led the way forimprovement in reading with an increase of 8 percentage points and inmath with an increase of 6 percentage points.

Additionally, all student subgroups made increases in testparticipation, attendance, and graduation rates. Of the 38 AYPcategories districts are measured upon, SPPS met 24 of the targets.Carstarphen said that she was disappointed that the district did notmeet all categories.

“This year’s performance indicates that the district made improvementswhen compared to last year as evidenced by our students’ increasedachievement gains,” said Carstarphen.

Summary of Adequate Yearly Progress Results in Saint Paul Public Schools:

• Of the 76 SPPS schools subject to the AYP requirements of NCLB, 17schools met targets in both reading and mathematics, declining from 22last year. 30 schools made AYP in mathematics, compared to 33 lastyear. 31 made AYP in reading, compared to 28 last year.

• Of the 50 schools serving elementary aged students, 17 schools mettargets in both reading and math.  27 made AYP in mathematics,increasing from 25 last year.  21 schools made AYP in reading, comparedto 22 last year.

• Of the 15 schools solely serving secondary aged students, none ofthe schools made AYP in both reading and math, compared to 2 lastyear.  At the 7 comprehensive high schools, reading performanceimproved dramatically, with 5 schools making AYP, increasing from 1last year.  In the 8 junior highs, no schools made AYP in both readingand math, compared to 2 last year.  Only one school (Battle CreekMiddle) made AYP for math. 
  

• Of the 11 alternative learning programs operated by SPPS, 1 madeAYP, increasing from none last year. Five alternative learning programsmade AYP in reading, increasing from 3 last year. 2 made AYP in math,compared to 4 last year.  Many of the alternative learning programshave insufficient data due to their small size and fluctuatingenrollments.   
  

• Last year, SPPS had 18 schools identified as in need ofimprovement under NCLB by the Minnesota Department of Education.  Thenumber increased to 27 for SY 2008-2009.

• 12 of the 27 schools will offer their low-income students theoption to receive tutoring from 15 different external providers. Registration for these services will begin in September.  SPPS willalso offer after school tutoring at all its sites beginning in October. 
  

• 2 of the 27 schools (Washington Technology Magnet and Open School)are classified as in need of corrective action.  Washington beganimplementing the Bio-Smart reform last year – in advance of theclassification – to ensure sufficient time for successfulimplementation. 

• 2 of the 27 schools (Arlington and Humboldt Junior High) areclassified as in need of restructuring.  The program changes begun lastyear provide the foundation for the restructuring efforts that willcontinue this year.     

All 27 schools identified for improvement must offer students theoption to transfer to other schools within the district. Approximately15,000 letters have been mailed to families providing them withinformation on the performance of schools and informing them of theirrights to transfer to others schools. Families should start receivingthe letters this week and can work with the district’s StudentPlacement Center to discuss their options.  The deadline for transfersis August 29, 2008.

For more information please contact Howie Padilla in the Office of Community Relations at (651) 767-8104 or (612) 251-5714.