Superintendent Jerry Wartgow said the School Accountability Reports released today by the state demonstrate a “positive trend of improvement” that sets the stage for future growth in student achievement.

“These are major strides and they reflect the hard work of teachers, administrators, and students,” said Superintendent Wartgow. “It’s more than ample proof that our goals are reachable. Many, many schools that maintained their same accountability rating were noted for significant improvement and this cannot be overlooked - they are heading in the right direction. Their effort needs to be celebrated.”

In Denver Public Schools this year, 40 schools were recognized for “significant improvement” or “improvement” during the 2001-2002 school year. (This is the first year improvement ratings are being given in addition to the overall academic performance ratings.)

Of the 21 schools that received “unsatisfactory” academic performance ratings in DPS last year, 14 improved to the “low” category.

Four middle schools and all five high schools ranked “unsatisfactory” on last year’s School Accountability Reports (SAR) moved up to “low.”

At the elementary school level, five of the 11 elementary schools ranked “unsatisfactory” last year also improved.
Denver Public Schools this year added two more “excellent” schools - Denver School of the Arts high school and Slavens Elementary School. They join Bromwell, Southmoor and Crofton elementary schools with “excellent” ratings. Crofton was also recognized for “significant improvement.”

Superintendent Wartgow noted that the district’s extensive literacy program was launched with the beginning of the current school year and that the yield from its extended focus on reading and writing instruction won’t be evident until next year’s CSAP and SAR reports.

Still, said Superintendent Wartgow, too many schools remain below acceptable levels for academic achievement.

Yet Superintendent Wartgow noted with enthusiasm all those schools that improved from one category to the next highest ranking. Those included:

• Five elementary schools improved from “unsatisfactory” to “low” (Mitchell, Cowell, Castro, Ebert, Columbine).
• Two elementary schools improved from “low” to “average” (Marrama, Lincoln).
• Three elementary schools improved from “average” to “high” (McKinley-Thatcher, University Park, Steck).
• Four middle schools improved from “unsatisfactory” to “low” (Lake, Rishel, Smiley, Horace Mann).
• Five high schools improved from “unsatisfactory” to “low” (Abraham Lincoln, North, Montbello, Manual, West).
• Two high schools improved from “low” to “average” (East, Thomas Jefferson).
• One high school improved from “high” to “excellent” (Denver School of the Arts - high school grades).

The state rankings are based on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results released in July. The rankings are calculated by the state. Scores are not included in the rankings from students who do not speak English, students whose special needs require that they spend less than 45 percent of their time in a regular classroom, and students who enrolled in the school after February 1.

This is the first year that each school receives a new academic improvement rating as part of the School Accountability Reports. There are five improvement ratings - significant decline, decline, stable, improvement, and significant improvement. As a result, schools can stay in one of the five rating levels - low, unsatisfactory, average, high and excellent - and still be recognized for progress.

This information was later corrected by the Colorado Department of Education. Click here for the update.