The state recently released new information on school performance as required by a federal education law called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):
- The Iowa School Performance Profiles reflects how public schools performed on a set of core accountability measures, such as results on the statewide assessment. The tool displays a school’s score based on overall performance, as well as scores based on the performance of subgroups of students. These subgroups include students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, students receiving special education services, English learners, and students from racial/ethnic minority groups.
- Based on these scores, some schools in Iowa have been identified for additional support and improvement (Comprehensive or Targeted) and some schools have been identified for extended supports if they continue to be identified after 3 years (Extended Comprehensive or Extended Targeted). These determinations are not punitive; rather, they come with funding and support.
Based on Iowa’s school accountability and support under ESSA, our middle school has received a designation of Targeted Support and Improvement. This is because our school has one subgroup that performed as low as the lowest 5 percent of schools. Our specific challenges include growth in literacy and math and the results of the Conditions for Learning survey.
Our middle school will receive federal funding and resources from the state and our area education agency. With this support, we will create a local team to develop and implement a plan for improvement that fits the individual needs of our school.
While we have many things to celebrate in our school, we also have work to do. We look forward to addressing our school’s needs through this process, which we view as an opportunity to build on the great things we have going on. The school welcomes input as we develop our improvement plan and appreciates your continuec support of our school, our staff, and our students.
To locate our school’s results, as well as more information about the Iowa School Performance Profiles and ESSA, visit the following website: www.iaschoolperformance.gov