Accountability in education

WORLAND — Federal and state accountability determinations were released by the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) Sept. 8. State accountability measures show most Wyoming schools are meeting or partially meeting expectations.

School performance levels are determined from a variety of data and are calculated to help determine which schools are doing well and which schools are in need of assistance.

Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA) looks at student growth, readiness, achievement, equity, and participation. Based on these indicators schools are rated using varying levels of performance that can be achieved: exceeding expectations, meeting expectations, partially meeting expectations, or not meeting expectations, according to a Wyoming Department of Education press release.

Washakie County School District #2, Ten Sleep grades 3-8, ranked “meeting expectations” at equity and achievement, while “exceeding expectations” in growth. Ten Sleep High School is exceeding expectations in all three divisions, with an overall grade of exceeding expectations. More on Ten Sleep’s rankings will be published in Wednesday’s issue.

“Now is the time to take a hard look at where schools are at and what needs to be done to get them to the next level,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said. “This data gives us the valid measure needed to get schools where we want them and fortify Wyoming’s future.”

Superintendent Balow said the WDE is using the state accountability system to guide school improvement efforts. Every school is required to complete a comprehensive plan based on their school performance level. New components of the State System of Support will provide resources to improve leadership, instruction and other areas in Wyoming education.

According to federal accountability determinations, only 17 percent of Wyoming schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) during the 2014-15 school year. Superintendent Balow said this is not an accurate reflection of how Wyoming schools are doing, “No Child Left Behind gives an outdated, narrow view of student achievement. It’s overly focused on standardized test scores and meeting proficiency, instead of improving all students. I once again call on Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and give more control back to the states.”