Most county schools meet expectations in School Accountability Ratings

Friday, January 3, 2020

With a bit over half of schools statewide meeting or exceeding expectations in the 2018-19 School Accountability Ratings, 75 percent of Putnam County schools met expectations, with the other quarter a step behind at the “approaches expectations” level.

The Indiana Department of Education released the federal ratings Friday morning, noting that more than 56 percent of high schools statewide met or exceeded expectations, along with 53 percent of elementary and middle schools.

Among Putnam County schools, three of the four high schools met expectations, with only South Putnam High School at the approaches expectations level. Cloverdale, Greencastle and North Putnam high schools all met expectations.

Meanwhile, at the elementary and middle school level, nine of 12 local schools met expectations, with the three Greencastle elementaries -- Tzouanakis Intermediate, Ridpath Primary and Deer Meadow Primary -- all approaching expectations. Cloverdale Elementary, Cloverdale Middle, Greencastle Middle, Bainbridge Elementary, Roachdale Elementary, North Putnam Middle, Central Elementary, Fillmore Elementary and South Putnam Middle all met expectations.

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 US 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.

All schools are rated on such factors as achievement, progress and closing gaps in both English/language arts and math, as well as on English learner progress and addressing chronic absenteeism.

In addition to these factors, high schools are also evaluated based on graduation rate and strength of diploma.

Overall, schools fall into one of four rating categories -- exceeds expectations (4.8 percent of schools), meets expectations (47.9 percent), approaches expectations (34.2 percent) and does not meet expectations (11.3 percent). Another 1.8 percent of schools received no grade.

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 towards 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,” State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick said. “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 Superintendent McCormick and the Indiana General Assembly to pass a hold harmless on 2018-2019 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.

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    Its funny how the entirety of Western Civilization was built without any of this nonsense.

    Today's schools are indoctrination centers, not places of learning. They are colossal wastes of time, effort, and more importantly money.

    Reading, writing, math, and civics... that's all they need to teach.

    But this is what happens when too many people abdicate their responsibilities to the government.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Mon, Jan 6, 2020, at 10:08 AM
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