|  | SPPS meets state standards for Adequate Yearly Progress, ties results to new accountability expectations
11/16/2006 3:21 PMSaint Paul, Minn.—Based on results of the
MCA II test—which included a math assessment taken by students in
grades 3-8 and 11, plus a reading assessment taken by students in
grades 3-8 and 10—the Saint Paul Public School district, as a whole, is
making adequate yearly progress (AYP), as defined by the state.
Of the district's 67 "traditional" schools
(not including alternative learning centers or Bridgeview, a special
education site), 55 schools (82 percent) are making AYP in reading, 48
schools (72 percent) are making AYP in math, and 47 schools (70
percent) are making AYP in both subjects.
Among the most signficiant results of the test:
- On the heels of the release of these test
scores, Dr. Meria Carstarphen took the opportunity to outline her
vision for new and stronger accountability measures for Saint Paul
Public Schools.
- "Overall we are pleased that even under
this new, more rigorous test, our district as a whole has made Adequate
Yearly Progress, as defined by the state," said Dr. Carstarphen, "but
although making AYP is good, we know we can do better."
Dr. Carstarphen has been working on a new
accountability framework as part of a new district strategic plan,
which the public will be invited to review in January.
Although it is still being developed, Dr. Carstarphen said components of the accountability framework will include:pairing
schools in need of improvement with schools that are beating the odds
with similar demographics for the purpose of sharing best practices
providing financial incentives to schools to meet achievement standards
reorganizing the central office according to grade-level expertise
limiting flexibility and autonomy at schools in need of improvement
using data to determine what works and then consistently applying the most effective strategies for improving achievement.
"We are raising the bar and setting
aggressive goals and benchmarks so that each and every one of our
students is making meaningful progress at each and every one of our
schools," she said. "We are aiming not only to close the achievement
gap, but to prevent the achievement gap by continuing to invest in the
early years of a child's life."
The school district will use revenue from
the Referendum for Continued Excellence in Schools, which passed with
62 percent of the vote on Nov. 7, to fund all-day kindergarten at all
schools, programs for four-year-olds and Early Childhood Family
Education. It will also increase its investment in high school
programs, with the goal of doing a better job of preparing students for
college and other post-secondary opportunities.
"Just as we headed into the referendum
reminding our community that we'd had seven consecutive years of
improved test scores, we fully expect—at the very least—to continue
making steady progress from this baseline year forward," said
Superintendent Meria Carstarphen. "In fact, we plan to accelerate our pace in order to meet No Child Left Behind requirements and the expectations Saint Paul has of us."
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