Blaine School District

(Details)

Student performance on the state assessments this last spring (2011) was consistently strong in the Blaine School District. The 2010-11 school year marked the second year of implementation for the recently initiated assessment tools, including the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) at Grade 10, and the Measure of Student Performance (MSP) at Grades 3-8. In addition, 2010-11 was the first year for blanket implementation of the End of Course (EOC) exams for algebra and geometry.

In comparison to the previous year scores, we saw the following results on the MSP (3-8), the HSPE (Grade 10), and the End of Course (algebra and geometry) exams:

• Reading scores (% of students meeting standard) are up from prior year at five of seven tested grade levels
• Math scores (% of students meeting standard) are up from prior year at six of seven tested grade levels
• Writing scores (% of students meeting standard) remained relatively constant (+ or - 2%) at all three grade levels tested
• Science scores (% of students meeting standard) are up from previous year at three of three grade levels

Our teachers have been working very hard to bring a higher percentage of students to standard, as measured by the state assessment. We are encouraged by this year’s results and look forward to moving into the new school year, striving to assure for an even stronger level of academic performance on the part of all students. We would expect that OSPI will remain a proactive partner in the work of analyzing the results of the assessment data, while helping districts to determine the most important steps that can be taken to impact our overall results in a positive manner. This new assessments represent just one measure of the learning that is taking place for students in the Blaine School District.

All schools are expected to increase the percentage of students meeting standard on state reading and math tests each year at applicable grade levels. The target number increases every three years, and is referred to as the “uniform bar”. Schools that do not demonstrate progress equivalent to or above the “uniform bar” are considered to have failed to meet AYP, and after two consecutive years of failure to meet AYP move into “improvement status”. This year (2011) there was a dramatic adjustment in the “uniform bar” in reading, both at the elementary and middle school levels. This adjustment will be reflected in our school, and overall district, AYP status. We have seen continual progress in our reading scores, and we are confident in our reading program. We expect to continue to make substantial progress in the coming years, and to reach the newly established “uniform bar”.

If a school or district misses the applicable target level(s), it fails to make AYP. Blaine School District did not make AYP this year, as a result of Elementary and Middle School scores in the content area of reading, but is not yet in “improvement status”. Blaine High School has now met AYP, and will remain in Step 2 on the “improvement status” continuum. Blaine Middle School did not meet the AYP target level in reading, but will remain in Step 2 on the “improvement status” continuum. Blaine Elementary did not meet AYP in reading, but is not yet in “improvement status”.

Across the District, our teachers, support staff and administrators continue to work extremely hard to provide students with the highest level of quality instruction. We are expecting 2011-12 to be a very productive year academically for all students.