Last October, in the article “Data Points and Perceptions,” I cautioned the Bellevue community about allowing standardized test scores to become the entire story of a school district. They are not, and I still hold firmly to those beliefs. Test scores are but one indicator among many that tell the true story. With that said, and as was also stated in last year’s article, we take our scores seriously as opportunities to recognize continued growth.
Kentucky’s testing system is in the middle of a two-year transition period. I’ll spare you many of the details, but the labels of “Distinguished,” “Proficient,” and “Needs Improvement” are giving way to a star system beginning with the 2018-19 school year. Along with this change in labels comes many changes to the content areas and grade levels previously assessed. More information will be forthcoming during implementation in the months ahead.
For this year (Spring 2017 testing), however, we were given scores that more closely resemble the old system. In total, we have data on 12 measures. We took this data and plugged it into the formula used in the past to determine what labels our schools and district would have earned under last year’s system.
Grandview Elementary students were assessed in achievement, gap, and growth. There are complex formulas for all of these categories, so if you would like more information on the exact definition, please contact the district office. Our achievement score was static but there was improvement in gap and growth. This gave the school an overall rating right at the cutoff between Needs Improvement and Proficient. Because we hand calculated these scores, we are reluctant to label either way. Again, the state accountability system is in a transition period, so we did not receive official calculations.
Bellevue Middle School students were also assessed in achievement, gap, and growth. These students showed improvement in all three areas. This is exactly what we thought would happen when we formed the middle school two years ago. When calculating the scores for grades 6-8, once again we arrived at the cusp of Needs Improvement and Proficient, so we did not assign a label.
Bellevue High School students were assessed in achievement and gap but also received a score for college/career readiness and graduation rate. There was improvement in the achievement score, incredible improvement in the gap score, and although the graduation rate which was already the highest among Campbell County districts and 4th highest in Northern Kentucky, it went even higher. Our graduation rate is now over 98%. The readiness score remained static and will continue to be an area of growth for us moving forward. Combining all of these measures into one score, and even using conservative rounding, Bellevue High School was far beyond the score for what was previously determined to be a Distinguished school. And while this label is giving way to a star system in the future, our students earned it in 2016-17. Bellevue High School IS a 2017 Distinguished School.
In addition to the scores, other indicators place our district on an upward trajectory. Our ACT scores continue to climb, attendance rates are the highest they’ve been in five years, and our juniors and seniors are earning college credits at a rate that will essentially exempt them from college freshman courses. Last year alone, our 40 dual-credit students earned almost 500 credit hours. 500!
Finally, the district as a whole used to receive a similar label to the schools. Because we did the calculations on our own, and because of test change variables, I do not feel comfortable providing one. I can say that in running the numbers multiple times, we could absolutely argue that we moved from Needs Improvement in 2016 to Proficient in 2017. Regardless, there is much work to be done, and we will never rest despite our accomplishments. Our kids deserve it. Thank you for the support at home as we become a destination school district in Northern Kentucky.
asupervue 