SPPS meets state standards for Adequate Yearly Progress, ties results to new accountability expectations

SPPS meets state standards for Adequate Yearly Progress, ties results to new accountability expectations
11/16/2006 3:21 PM

Saint 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:

"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."