Dear AHS Parents,
The new State Report Cards were released on October 22, 2012. You can access the Report Card for any school in the state by going to the Department of Public Instruction web-site under the Accountability Reform tab at the following URL: http://dpi.wi.gov/oea/acct/accountability.html and clicking on the 2011-2012 School Report Cards icon.
The State Report Cards are complex and it requires significant effort to truly understand the overall performance of our school. The Report Card data is limited to the State Test Scores (WKCE), ACT data, and graduation data. Although these sources of information are important, they do not give a complete picture of our school and students’ performance. Arrowhead High School received an “Overall Accountability” score of 80.2, which is defined as “Exceeds Expectations.”
As a brief review of the Arrowhead High School Report Card the following information may provide a general overview of the performance of our students based on the information contained in the report card:
- Overall Achievement score for AHS is 80.2, Exceeds Expectations.
- Kohler High School had the highest score in the state with a 92.
- Arrowhead’s score was the 20th highest out of 465 high schools in the state.
- Student Achievement score for AHS is 90.7 compared to the state average of 66.5.
- Whitefish Bay had the highest score in the state with a 92.2.
- Arrowhead’s score was the 2nd highest out of 465 high schools in the state.
- Closing Gaps score for AHS is 62.2 compared to the state average of 68.3.
- Arrowhead was identified as a Focus School by the DPI.
- More detailed information regarding the identification can be found on the school district’s blog at: http://thearrowheadschools.blogspot.com/.
- There are three recent posts, along with several other posts explaining the DPI’s new accountability system, which can all be found on the district blog.
- On-Track and Postsecondary Readiness score for AHS is 91.5 compared to the state average of 82.3.
- Pepin High School had the highest score in the state with a 96.7.
- Arrowhead’s score was the 27th highest out of 465 high schools in the state.
- Wisconsin State Assessment System Percent Proficient and Advanced 2011-2012 scores for AHS are the following:
- Percent of students who are proficient and advanced in Reading at Arrowhead High School is 67.7%, which is 5th highest of state high schools (Whitefish Bay was the highest with 75.7%).
- Percent of students who are proficient and advanced in Math at Arrowhead High School is 73.3%, which is 3rd highest of state high schools (Kohler was the highest with 81.6%).
This information is provided after a brief review of the data provided by the DPI. It is provided only to give Arrowhead parents a general idea of how our school and students have performed based on the State Report Card. As a school system we will be looking at this information in much more detail, however since this information has been released publically, I felt that it was important to provide some context for you as a parent of a student at AHS.
Can we get better? Absolutely! However, the DPI report(s) are not in enough detail that a school district should respond with any actions, without first truly working to understand what is being reported. Arrowhead High School, having had the opportunity to explore further the DPI report(s), as part of the Focus School identification, has been able to examine the data and make some determinations that will better position our school district to address any areas in need of improvement. It is imperative, for the benefit of our students and in being vigilant in maximizing our resources (e.g. staff, finances), that we evaluate and make determinations, responding in a thoughtful, productive, and proactive manner, rather than in a reactionary manner.
Arrowhead welcomes the opportunity to gather information and to look for ways we can improve the learning experiences for our students and to better meet the individual educational needs of our young people. Arrowhead has largely built a strong reputation for high student academic, co/extra-curricular, and community service outcomes for young people based on having outstanding students, highly dedicated and skilled professionals, and strong community support. The new accountability standards present an opportunity for our school district to challenge our organization to become better.
We welcome your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Craig Jefson
Arrowhead Superintendent
