News Release
August 2, 2006
DPS Students Show Historic Gains On 2005/2006 CSAP Test
Denver Public Schools (DPS) announced today that it received 2005/2006 CSAP results from the Colorado Department of Education. "Although we have a long way to go," said Superintendent Michael Bennet, "we are very pleased with the results. I want to congratulate our teachers, principals, students, and families for the historic gains they accomplished this year." Whether compared to statewide gains or historical district yearly gains, students' progress this year is very positive.
"Great things are happening in Denver Public Schools, and we as a community must commit to keep this momentum going," said Mayor John Hickenlooper. "This exciting progress fuels our optimism about DPS' ability to become the top big city school district in the country. Congratulations to Denver students, teachers, principals and administration on this historic achievement."
"Denver teachers are committed to working closely with the parents and community to provide quality teaching and learning environments for our students," affirmed Kim Ursetta, DCTA President. "The increased CSAP scores are one indicator of the hard work teachers are doing with Denver students."
"We were able to build on the foundation created by Jerry Wartgow and the previous administration," stated Superintendent Bennet. "These increases demonstrate the important role the community and the board of education play in demanding continuity and aggressive implementation of reform."
DPS' GROWTH BEATS THE STATE'S
DPS students' growth exceeded the state's in reading, writing, and math in overall test scores for the first time since the full implementation of the CSAP tests. Specifically, DPS student scores on the 2006 CSAP tests showed change over last year that is better than the state's on 62% (18 of 29) of all the individual tests given. DPS has not shown such a performance comparison with the state since the implementation of the full complement of tests. DPS' change was better or equal to the state's on 79% (23 of 29) of CSAP tests this year.
"The Denver Plan establishes performance goals that call on the district to out-pace the state in our gains," explained Superintendent Bennet. "We accomplished that goal this year, and we look forward to continuing to close the gap in the years ahead."
HISTORIC GAINS IN READING PERFORMANCE
"We are most excited about our increases in reading," said Board President Theresa Peña. "Reading is the gateway to all achievement."
DPS students achieved an unprecedented increase of 4% between 2005 and 2006 based on all English reading assessments. With the exception of grade 4 reading, DPS' growth was better than or equal to the state change in all grades tested. Further, this year's reading gain in DPS was higher than all overall reading gains in the district over the last five years combined. Performance increased at all grade levels, with the exception of grade 3 where it declined 1% consistent with state performance, and was highest at grade six, which recorded a 7% gain over 2005. The grade six performance was the highest single year single grade gain in the district since the implementation of the full complement of English reading assessments.
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL
Particularly important to note are the performance improvements recorded at the secondary level (grades 6 - 10) where performance has typically been considered low. Score changes in reading outstripped the state in grades 6 - 10; score changes in writing beat the state in grades 7 - 10. Overall, the district recorded secondary level performance change that was better or equal to the state in all 16 tests [5 Reading, 5 Math, 5 Writing, and 1 Science].
CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN MATH PERFORMANCE
DPS performance changes were better or equal to the state in 7 of 8 tests.
INCREASED READING AND MATH ACHIEVEMENT AT ALL ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS FROM UNSATISFACTORY TO ADVANCED
Compared with the 2004-2005 cohort (those students who took the CSAP), the 2005-2006 cohort saw a higher percentage of students moving upward from each proficiency category (Unsatisfactory, Partially Proficient and Proficient) in reading and math.
In reading, the upward movement was as follows:
- Unsatisfactory: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 25% (1655) and between 2005 and 2006 it was 30% (2073);
- Partially Proficient: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 19% (1673) and between 2005 and 2006 was 26%(2256); and
- Proficient: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 5% (572) and between 2005 and 2006 it was 6% (625).
In math, the upward movement was as follows:
- Unsatisfactory: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 13% (1088) and between 2005 and 2006 it was 14% (1321);
- Partially Proficient: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 9% (500) and between 2005 and 2006 was 14%(1359); and
- Proficient: upward movement between 2004 and 2005 was 8% (280) and between 2005 and 2006 was 13% (886).
Superintendent Bennet said, "Our objective is to raise achievement for all kids, and ultimately match the state average. We've got a way to go, but DPS is on the move."
For questions or information please contact Sarah Hughes at 720-423-3542.