Press Release: EPSD Shows Promising Growth

 

Press Release: Issued August 29, 2024

 

According to state and federal laws, Estes Park District R-3 (EPSD), along with all other districts in Colorado, administers the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and PSAT/SAT to students at the end of each school year to measure their progress. These assessments provide a common measure of students' achievement against the Colorado Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science.

On August 29, the Colorado Department of Education publicly released results from school districts throughout the state. The data EPSD received reflects assessments administered in April 2024. During this time, students in grades 3 through 8 took the CMAS for ELA and math. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 took the CMAS science assessment. High school students in grades 9 and 10 took the PSAT, while grade 11 students took the SAT, assessing their proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Superintendent Ruby Bode shared, “The results demonstrate that our district’s students are making noteworthy academic growth. The data confirms what we have observed through our district summative assessments already: while we are seeing district-wide growth gains, the most significant improvements are in math. Moving forward, our focus will be on maintaining these gains in math while strategically enhancing reading and writing skills across the upper elementary, middle, and high school levels. This data, coupled with our district assessments, provides us with a clear roadmap for our improvement planning.”

The overall rate of student participation in the 2024 assessments ranged between 87.7% and 95.5%, an improvement from the 2023 range of 80.5% to 92.2%. (Note: Colorado law allows parents to excuse their children from taking state-required tests.)

While achievement on the assessments remained consistent with the previous year, with the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations still below the state average, the growth data reveals a more encouraging story. 

In ELA, 35% of students in grades 3-8 met or exceeded expectations, compared to 44% statewide. In math, 25% of students met or exceeded expectations, compared to 34% statewide. Science results showed that 26.7% of 5th, 8th, and 11th graders met or exceeded expectations, compared to 32.7% statewide. For high school students, 59.3% met or exceeded expectations in ELA, compared to 62.9% statewide, while 18.4% met or exceeded expectations in math, compared to 34.9% statewide.

However, what is not immediately visible in these achievement scores is the substantial academic growth our students have made. On the ACCESS for English Language Learners assessment, 73.2% of students demonstrated typical to high growth, up from 63% the previous year, with a median growth percentile (MGP) of 51, surpassing the state median. This growth underscores the district’s commitment to improving student outcomes for English language acquisition.

Similarly, on the CMAS ELA assessment, students in grades 3-8 achieved a 51 MGP, and a 49 MGP in math—both significant increases from the previous year, reflecting the district’s improvement efforts and the dedication of our educators.

Both achievement and growth measurements will determine the accreditation rating that the schools and district will receive from the Colorado Department of Education, with results scheduled for public release on September 10.

Every parent with a student attending school in the district last year has received a letter from the principal of their student’s school, along with individual student performance reports. This information is important for understanding each student’s college and career readiness.

Superintendent Bode expressed optimism, stating, “I am hopeful that the impressive growth shown by our students will be reflected in improved accreditation ratings. These results are more promising than those from the previous year, and I credit this progress to the hard work of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the support of our families.