Type to search

Atlanta and DeKalb County school accountability scores increase, while Decatur’s drops

Avondale Estates Decatur Kirkwood and East Lake Metro ATL

Atlanta and DeKalb County school accountability scores increase, while Decatur’s drops

Share

The state of Georgia has released College and Career Ready Performance Index scores for 2015. Atlanta and DeKalb County made gains in student performance, while City School’s of Decatur’s score dropped slightly over the previous year.

A City Schools of Decatur spokesperson says changes to the state calculation of the scores means that the city’s elementary schools, which are K-3 instead of the more common K-5, did not receive an overall CCRPI score.

The 100 point score is comprised of four parts: Student Achievement, 50 percent, 40 percent progress, and 10 percent for closing the achievement gap, a measure of how schools address the disparity in achievement of different groups of students. Schools can also earn “challenge and exceeding the bar” points, meaning a school could potential have a score of higher than 100.

To view the most recent CCRPI scores, click here.

[adsanity id=27331 align=aligncenter /]

DeKalb County’s overall CCRPI score increased from 62.8 to 67.7 from 2014 to 2015. In Atlanta, the score increased from 62.6 to 67. Atlanta School Board member Matt Westmoreland notes that Toomer Elementary’s score increased by 10.8 points, meaning it is no longer on the list of schools that could be taken over by the state’s proposed Opportunity School District.

The CCRPI in Decatur was 87.5 in 2014, and dropped to 86.6 in 2015. The district’s elementary schools dropped from an 86 CCRPI score in 2014 to a 82.8 CCRPI score in 2015.

“GaDOE decided that primary schools would not receive a CCRPI score for 2015,” CSD spokesperson Courtney Burnett said. “Two years of test data are now required to calculate the achievement gap and progress portions of the CCRPI score. The required state tests (Georgia Milestones) are only given in grades 3-8. As a result, CSD K-3 schools are unable to receive a progress score, achievement gap score, and an overall CCRPI score.”

Burnett also added:

 – CSD ranks 5th in the state for overall district CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 16th in the state for overall district elementary CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 5th in the state for overall district middle school CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 6th in the state for overall district high school CCRPI score

Atlanta Public Schools said seven schools, including Toomer, have been removed from the OSD takeover list because of the improvement in CCRPI scores.

“After recalculating the CCRPI scores for current and planned mergers and one school closure, APS now has 19 schools that have three years in a row of CCRPI scores below 60 (compared to 27 in 2014),” a press release from APS says. “While seven schools made sufficient gains to move above the OSD criterion of 60, two additional schools became OSD-eligible because they did not reach a score of 60 for the third consecutive year.”

DeKalb County reports that “nearly all” of its OSD-eligible schools are on-track to leave the list.

Here is the full press release from DeKalb County Schools:

DEKALB SCHOOLS SHOW SIGNIFICANT ACADEMIC GROWTH IN

                                            RECENT CCRPI SCORES                             

Nearly all OSD eligible schools are on track to leave the list

The DeKalb County School District has shown significant academic growth in the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) for school year 2015 recently released by the Georgia Department of Education. All three categories of schools (high, middle, and elementary) received nearly 34 or more points out of a maximum of 40 points for academic growth (progress) as follows:

  • High schools – 0
  • Middle schools – 4
  • Elementary schools – 9

“Our students demonstrated significant academic growth, which is a precursor to achievement,” Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green said. “Learning comes from mastering content and our students are proving they are making progress. By continuing our laser focus on classroom instruction with the best teachers, who are fairly compensated, properly motivated, and retained for the long term, we will continue to see our students grow and excel.”

From 2014 to 2015, students in 10 of the District’s 27 high schools showed double digit growth in overall scores with no declines in overall scores.  These schools included:

  • McNair HS – 5
  • Clarkston HS – 9
  • Gateway to College Academy (closed) – 6
  • Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence – 5
  • Dunwoody HS – 5
  • Elizabeth Andrews HS – 5
  • Tucker HS – 5
  • Arabia Mountain HS – 4
  • Columbia HS – 8

For middle schools, 17 schools, or 55 percent, of the 31 schools demonstrated growth. Twelve elementary schools had double digit growth in overall scores with eight of these schools qualifying for Title I free or reduced lunch costs. A total of 66 elementary schools, or 79 percent, of 84 schools showed growth.

Fourteen schools scored the maximum 40 points for growth (progress) and include:

  • Austin ES
  • Arabia Mountain HS
  • Brockett ES
  • DeKalb Early College Academy
  • DeKalb School of the Arts
  • Dunwoody ES
  • PATH Academy Charter
  • Globe Academy Charter
  • Idlewood Elementary
  • Indian Creek ES
  • Kittredge Magnet
  • Laurel Ridge ES
  • Leadership Preparatory Academy Charter
  • Wadsworth Magnet

There were 11 very high performing schools with CCRPI scores exceeding 90 points as well as four schools that exceeded the 100-point scale by earning additional bonus points and include:

  • Wadsworth Magnet – 3
  • Kittredge Magnet – 4
  • DeKalb Early College Academy HS – 5
  • DeKalb School of the Arts HS – 1
  • Arabia Mountain HS
  • Museum School Charter
  • DeKalb School of the Arts MS
  • Austin ES
  • Dunwoody ES
  • Fernbank ES
  • Vanderlyn ES

“The DeKalb County School District is regaining its rightful place as a leader in public education,” said Dr. Green.  “We have regained full accreditation, built a modest fund balance through fiscal responsibility, and give all our principals and teachers a needed pay raise as well as increasing SAT scores by 103 points, improving graduation rates by more than 10 points, and being a leader in STEM education.”

Opportunity School District Schools

The DeKalb County School District has 24 schools that qualify for the Governor’s proposed Opportunity School District (OSD). That is, they have a three-year CCRPI average under 60 points.  Under the Governor’s definition, the 2015 CCRPI scores demonstrate the following:

  • One school, Columbia HS, is now off the list of OSD-Eligible
  • Six schools have a three-year CCRPI average of 55 points or higher and are within 1-2 years of being off the list. These schools include:
    • Towers HS, Freedom MS
    • Salem MS, Cedar Grove ES
    • Flat Rock ES
    • Snapfinger
  • Thirteen schools have a three-year average between 45 and 55 points and are on a path of coming off the list within 2-3 years. These schools include:
    • Cedar Grove MS
    • Browns Mill ES
    • Canby Lane ES
    • Clifton ES
    • Columbia ES
    • Dunaire ES
    • L. Miller ES
    • Fairington ES
    • Oakview ES
    • Redan ES
    • McNair DLA
    • Panola Way ES
    • Toney
  • This leaves three schools that are in need of intensive, enhanced assistance and services. These schools are:
    • Stoneview ES
    • Flat Shoals ES
    • Meadowview

“Our students, parents, and staff are dedicated and working hard to improve academic growth, said Dr. Green. “Now that we are not distracted on matters other than academics, we can put the focus back where is needs to be… in the classroom.”

About CCRPI

The CCRPI is Georgia’s statewide accountability system, implemented in 2012 to replace the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measurement, after the U.S. Department of Education granted Georgia’s waiver from NCLB.  It measures schools and school districts on an easy-to-understand 100-point scale, helping parents and the public better understand how schools are performing in a more comprehensive manner than the pass/fail system previously in place under AYP.

Schools are awarded up to 100 points as follows: Achievement – 50; Progress – 40; Achievement Gap – 10; Challenge points – 10. An addition 10 Challenge Points may be awarded.

Here is the full press release from Atlanta Public Schools:

Seven APS Schools Expected to Come off OSD Takeover List as District CCRPI Scores Rise

ATLANTA – In a year of more rigorous assessments, 46 schools in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) showed gains on the state’s latest College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) results released today by the Georgia Department of Education. In addition, of the original 27 schools identified by the state in 2014 as low performing and eligible for possible state takeover by a proposed Opportunity School District (OSD), seven achieved large enough gains to be removed from OSD eligibility.

The seven APS schools anticipated to be removed from the state OSD list are Benteen, Dobbs, Toomer and Usher-Collier Heights elementary schools; Sylvan Middle School; Therrell Law and Mays high schools.

As a district, the average CCRPI score rose from 62.6 points to 66.8 points overall compared to 2014 results, according to the state’s report.

CCRPI is the statewide education accountability system that measures schools and districts on a 100-point scale. It helps parents and the public understand how schools are performing compared to others in the district and state.

Scores for both APS and the state increased the past year. The overall APS score increased 4.2 points to 66.8, although still 8.7 points lower than the Georgia average of 75.5. The Georgia average increased by 3.6 points from 2014.

After recalculating the CCRPI scores for current and planned mergers and one school closure, APS now has 19 schools that have three years in a row of CCRPI scores below 60 (compared to 27 in 2014). While seven schools made sufficient gains to move above the OSD criterion of 60, two additional schools became OSD-eligible because they did not reach a score of 60 for the third consecutive year.

“These results give me hope that we are making progress in transforming Atlanta Public Schools,” said APS Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen. “But while we are pleased to see some improvements, especially in those schools previously eligible for state takeover, we clearly have much work to do toward improving student achievement.”

Initial turnaround interventions began this school year with more scheduled for 2016-2017. The strategy includes education partnerships, operating-model changes, high-impact tutoring, math and reading specialists to directly support students, a Spring Break Academy, recruitment of respected turnaround school leaders, targeted professional learning for teachers, and accelerated roll-out of social emotional learning in schools. More information is available atwww.atlantapublicschools.us/turnaround.

While the district and state overall scores increased, these scores are not directly comparable to 2014 scores due to both the GaDOE changing its assessments from the former Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) to Georgia Milestones and due to the GaDOE adjusting the CCRPI calculation towards a greater emphasis on progress over achievement.

Here is the full statement from City Schools of Decatur spokesperson Courtney Burnett:

CCRPI is comprised of 4 parts: Student Achievement 50%, Progress 40%, Achievement Gap Closure 10%, and Challenge/Exceeding the Bar (bonus points).

– CSD ranks 5th in the state for overall district CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 16th in the state for overall district elementary CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 5th in the state for overall district middle school CCRPI score

– CSD ranks 6th in the state for overall district high school CCRPI score

– Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School CCRPI scores increased from 2014

Two major changes in calculations had a significant impact on our K-3 schools for 2015.

1. GaDOE decided that primary schools would not receive a CCRPI score for 2015.  Two years of test data are now required to calculate the achievement gap and progress portions of the CCRPI score.  The required state tests(Georgia Milestones) are only given in grades 3-8. As a result, CSD K-3 schools are unable to receive a progress score, achievement gap score, and an overall CCRPI score. 

Achievement Gap Closure Definition-

The Achievement Gap size is determined by calculating the difference between a school’s lowest performing quartile of students and the state average on the Georgia Milestones. Gap progress is measured by using the Student Growth Percentile of a school’s bottom quartile of students. For each content area, each school’s final score will be the greater of the gap size rubric score and the gap progress rubric score. This enables schools to earn points by either having a high achieving lowest 25% or by making significant progress with their lowest 25% based on prior scores. There is no gap progress measure for K-3 schools because they do not have two years of end-of-grade data. The end-of-grade assessment is only given in grades 3-8.

2. Since the CCRPI calculations have changed significantly each year since 2012, it is difficult to accurately compare scores year-to-year. The slight dip in the CSD overall score from 87.3 to 86.6 is due to a major change in the calculation for achievement gap for our K-3 elementary schools.  Under the previous achievement gap calculation, our K-3 schools earned significantly high scores, which helped to bolster the overall district CCRPI score. Under the new calculation, only three of our schools are able to contribute achievement gap points to the district score.