For the first time since the Colorado Department of Education began administering school and district accountability ratings in 2010, Brighton’s School District 27J has no traditional-enrollment schools in danger of state interference for poor performance.
In fact, almost of the district’s schools moved up considerably in ranking and none is categorized as “priority improvement” or “turnaround” status anymore — a classification that schools can only be in for five years before the state is allowed to either switch the school into a charter school, classify it as an innovation school, which requires extensive restructuring, or close it altogether.
“I am incredibly proud of the hard work of our students, teachers, school administrative staffs and our district academic achievement team.” said Chris Fiedler, the district superintendent. “I’ve said before and continue to believe that our district has never had a more clear focus on student achievement and we continue to see the results in the academic growth of our students.”
One school in particular, Vikan Middle School, saw the greatest growth. The school sat on priority improvement status and under the state accountability clock for two years before it was officially upgraded two full rankings to a performance school based on the ratings released from the state Department of Education Oct. 4. The state evaluation tests were taken last spring.
Colorado has a four-tiered accountability system: performance, improvement, priority improvement and turnaround.
“We’re the only school in our district that moved up two categories,” said Vikan principal, Trina Norris-Buck. “It’s thanks to years of cumulative work, and understanding of the state standards and also really establishing a deep level of familiarity of our students as learners. We want our students to know how much we believe in them, and we want them to in turn believe in us as educators. It’s truly been a team effort and accomplishment.”
The school at 879 Jessup St. has struggled in the past with funding and space issues, like most of the schools in the 27J District. There are 590 students in 6th through 8th grade crammed into a building built in 1962. Based on the , which promises improvements to all district schools by 2020, Vikan is anticipating an expansion and infrastructure improvements.
“Those needs are great,” Norris-Buck said. “Our goal is to start building the new space in March and be ready in August … and once those improvements are made, we anticipate that the changes to classroom size and overall space will certainly influence more positive growth and higher achievement.”
Other district improvement highlights from last year’s standardized tests include North Elementary, which moved from priority improvement to improvement; and Second Creek Elementary and Henderson Elementary Schools, which jumped from improvement to performance status.
Fourteen district schools (including the districtap five charter schools) received the performance rating. Four district schools moved out of either the improvement rating or the priority improvement rating. No schools moved down to priority improvement or turnaround status.
As part of the performance ratings, school districts can receive one of five accreditation ratings: accredited with distinction, accredited, accredited with improvement plan, priority improvement or turnaround.
The number of students who actually take the tests can affect the score. If the , it results in a lower accreditation category.
School District 27J reached 98 percent participation in math and language arts, but only 90 percent in science. It will maintain its status of accredited with improvement plan. The district narrowly missed moving up to the status of accredited, according to district officials.
“We are happy to see this kind of improvement in our schools with the state testing,” said Patrick Day, School District 27J Board of Education president.“We as a board are always looking for continued growth and achievement, and this is great work for our schools and our district. It’s in line with what we expect to see, and we’re looking forward to that continued achievement.”