School Achievement Data
School Achievement Data
August 1, 2011
Dear Parents,
Welcome to a new school year. This letter details our school’s progress towards state reading, math, and language usage goals
and it reviews options available to some students. While the individual students at Marsing Middle School demonstrated remarkable individual and average growth on most areas of the ISAT tests this spring, our test scores still did not meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law, as interpreted in Idaho. Unfortunately, our school did not meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) this spring (2010-2011) and our school will be entering the final phase of the school improvement process this year.
Each year, all schools are required to reach goals in reading, math, and language arts. Schools must meet the proficiency targets measured in 41 different areas, based on the spring ISAT scores. Our school AYP summary report is attached. This report provides information on how Marsing Middle School compares with other schools in the state. The full report will be available online at www.sde.idaho.gov/reportcard/Index/2010/363/0530 . Marsing Middle School met the AYP requirements in the spring of 2010 but a school must meet AYP for two years in a row in order to get out of “school improvement” status. Please contact me (Mr. Webster) at school if you would like more details about these numbers or if you want more information about student achievement in our school.
Marsing Middle School is currently in “School Improvement Year Five” in math. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law requires that, if practical, parents can transfer their child to another school that is not in School Improvement status. Marsing School District, of course, only has one middle school serving this age group so we are not able to provide this option to transfer to another middle school. However, if you would like to pursue “school choice” there may be other options available to you. These options may include the following middle school programs that are not in “school improvement” status:
- COSSA Academies (Students must qualify. 7Th and 8th grades only)
- Another Choice Virtual Charter (www.anotherchoicecharter.org)
- Idaho Distance Education Academy (www.idahoidea.org)
- Inspire Connections Academy (www.connectionsacademy.com)
- Kaplan Academy of Idaho (www.kaplanacademy.com/idaho)
You must notify the MMS office by August 17th if you want to pursue one of these options for your child. According to federal regulations, where applicable, Marsing School District may be able to provide all or part of the transportation necessary to attend one of these choices.
Following, is some information about how our school's ISAT scores compare to those available under the public school choice option.
|
|
% of students Proficient & Advanced in Math in 2010-11 (Target 83%) |
% of Students Proficient & Advanced in Reading in 2010-11 (Target 85.6%) |
% of Students Proficient & Advanced in Language Usage in 2010-2011 (Target to meet or exceed previous year) |
|
Marsing Middle School |
80.0% - Met Growth Target |
88.4% - Met Target |
77.1% - Met Target |
|
State of Idaho (6th-8th) |
88.4% Proficient |
92.7% Proficient |
Not Available. Measured Graduation Rate |
|
COSSA Academy (formerly Centerpoint) |
Not Available – Too few students tested |
Not Available – Too few students tested |
Not Available – Too few students tested |
|
Another Choice Virtual Charter |
45.1% - Target Not Met |
75% - Target Not Met |
65.4% - Target Not Met |
|
Idaho Distance Education Academy |
89.4% - Met Target |
94.5% - Met Target |
89% - Met Target |
|
Inspire Connections Academy |
83.9% - Target Not Met |
89.1% - Target Not Met |
84.7% - Met Target |
|
Kaplan Academy of Idaho |
67.1% - Target Not Met |
81.4% - Target Not Met |
69.2% - Target Not Met |
We are very proud of our improved student achievement. We are highly committed to promoting the maximum growth in learning for each student. We have many programs to help various sub-groups of students. Some of these programs are federally funded. We work diligently to wisely use these programs on behalf of our students.
Title IA Schoolwide – Funds provided to schools with a high rate of poverty in order to help promote academic success and to promote college and career readiness. Part of these funds are set aside to train parents to better help their students in school and to help them be more involved. Title I funds also help us serve the specific needs of homeless students. Title I funds also provide “free tutoring” for many students after school.
Literacy and Math Intervention Programs – Specifically filling learning gaps for students who are not yet proficient in reading, language usage or math.
Title IC – Migrant Program
Title III – Language Acquisition
Special Education – Assistance and specific instruction for students with specific learning disabilities.
21st Century After School Programs – Funds the MMS Learning Lab
Your child may also be eligible to participate in a free after-school tutoring program called Supplemental Educational Services (SES). Eligible students are those from low-income families. If your child is eligible, you will receive more information by mail during the first 2 weeks of school.
There are many ways that you can be involved in helping us to address school Improvement. We could use the support of some dedicated parent volunteers, enabling us to better work towards academic improvement. Classroom teachers can still use parent help in middle school. Please sign up to help if you would be willing to help a teacher.
We are looking for a couple parent volunteers to serve on our School Leadership Team, which focuses specifically on the areas of school improvement, academic achievement, and professional development.
Most importantly, please stay involved in the academic life of your child. They need you more now than ever.
Sincerely
Paul Webster
To see a pdf copy of this letter click below: