SYRACUSE — Indiana Department of Education released the federal 2018-19 school accountability ratings to the public Friday, Jan. 3. More than 56% of high schools and 53% of elementary and middle schools received a rating of Meets Expectations or Exceeds Expectations.
Each school in the Wawasee Community School Corporation received a rating of Approaches Expectations. However, there were some ratings of Meets Expectations in some of the individual rating categories.
Syracuse Elementary met expectations in both math academic achievement and closing gaps in math. Wawasee Middle School met expectations in English/language arts academic achievement and English/language arts academic progress.
Wawasee High School met expectations in the graduation rate, but did not meet expectations in English learner progress and addressing chronic absenteeism. As a general rule, Wawasee schools met expectations in closing gaps in English/language arts learning.
For several years, Wawasee administrators have not spoken favorably about standardized testing and the accountability letter grades issued based on those test results. Their reaction to the latest ratings, therefore, was not surprising.
“Of course, we are disappointed not to have overall ratings of Meets Expectations,” said Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent. “Ten years ago, the state average for state assessment pass rate was 80%, and Wawasee was there. Five years ago and a different test, 60% of the state passed, and Wawasee was there. This year, another new test and 38% of the state’s students passed.
“Wawasee has some grade levels at that mark. We are teaching, and students are learning better than ever. It is a shame that the state assessments do not accurately measure the material we are teaching and that children need for their futures. Frankly, that happens when politicians, rather than teachers, make educational decisions for our Indiana children.
“We are studying Wawasee results and tailoring our instruction for the coming round of spring tests. Teaching for the tests is not the same as teaching for life. Wawasee would rather spend student’s time and teacher’s efforts preparing children for their futures.”
Joy Goshert, assistant superintendent, also offered input.
“This year’s federal accountability report card is reported differently than last year’s federal accountability report card. Along with a new state assessment at grades 3-8 from the previous year’s report card, English and math academic achievement and English and math academic progress are reported separately for the 2018-2019 school year; whereas those subjects were combined for reporting purposes for the 2017-2018 school year. So, it is not easy for a person to compare the two report cards. We have several schools not far off, within five points, from an overall rating of Meets Expectations.
“We are held accountable for student absences in the area of Addressing Chronic Absenteeism, and this is an area for improvement where parents can support us as three out of our five schools were rated Approaches Expectations and one was rated Does Not Meet Expectations in that area.”
Due to differences between federal and state accountability requirements, for the second year Indiana schools will be assessed under two accountability systems. In an effort to provide more clarity and move away from the issuance of two grades, however, the U.S. Department of Education approved IDOE’s amendment to Indiana’s ESSA plan allowing for schools to receive federal accountability ratings in lieu of federal accountability grades. As the purpose of the federal accountability system is to provide actionable data that is accessible and aligned to long-term policy goals for student achievement, this change will also allow for a better understanding of the system as a tool to more accurately measure achievement and provide motivated progress toward success, as opposed to it simply becoming a punitive mark.
“I am proud of the work Indiana schools are doing to academically prepare our children for life beyond high school,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “To better serve schools for future successes, however, it is important we develop a single modernized state-legislated accountability system that is fair, accurate and transparent. Our kids, schools, teachers and parents deserve it.”
Due to the recent request by McCormick and the Indiana General Assembly to pass a hold harmless on 2018-19 state accountably grades, the State Board of Education has adopted a resolution withholding any vote to release state accountability grades until the General Assembly has officially taken action in the upcoming 2020 legislative session.
For more information regarding the standard setting process used to establish federal ratings, including a summary of federal supports and improvement statuses, visit www.doe.in.gov/accountability/federal-accountability-ratings. To view Indiana’s ESSA plan, visit www.doe.in.gov/essa.