What’s the Meaning of the State Test Results?

By Dr. Brenda Krage, Superintendent

Platte Canyon School District #1

Recently the Colorado Department of Education released the 2017 State Assessment results. In Platte Canyon School District we have much to celebrate and learn from the results of how our students demonstrated their learning. But what does the data really provide for teachers, administrators and community?

State level assessments are summative data, a snapshot in time, if you will, into how much a student has learned over the course of the school year. In our district, we use the State summative assessment as one component of our overall balanced assessment system. Teachers use formative assessment every day in the classroom to grab quick pieces of information on how students are learning. Last year, we introduced interim benchmark assessments, using NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAPs) to provide data on how students were learning the standard(s) and how they might, predicatively, perform when it is time to take the state test. The interim assessment is valuable in that teachers have an opportunity to make instructional adjustments periodically during the school year.

Our data indicates that the efforts our teachers are making to shift their thinking from ‘what was taught’ to ‘are my students learning’ is working. This is validating for our teachers and administrators. It also provides insight that our use of resources has been responsible.

Across the State of Colorado every school and school district is compared to State performance as a measure or ‘comparative bar’. It is our reality. And, while it is always rewarding to demonstrate student achievement and growth that is above the State, it does not explicitly imply the goal of the District. It is essential that our students excel not only compared to other students in the state, but across the nation. Make no mistake that our goal is for all of our students to be college and career ready upon entering post-secondary college or work. We can accomplish our goal through continuous improvement: having a deep understanding of standards based instruction, using assessment to answer the question “Are our students learning?”, making adjustments to instruction, and creating a culture of success.

When test data is released it is very normal to hear all types of opinions and thoughts about how our students are doing. Opinions and thoughts are a good thing as it makes for great discussion and often pushes our thinking beyond our own. However, research based on high performing organizational leadership supports a positive thoughtful approach to analyzing and learning from our data. Negativity and a focus solely on what is wrong or not working, just isn’t the way to move a school district forward. That is why I will continue to celebrate the positives while maintaining a strong dedication behind the scenes to keep improving our school district by working on the areas that need improvement. The test data is just one piece of many that give us a glimpse into our progress toward our continuing pursuit of excellence.

For more details on how Platte Canyon School District performed on the 2017 State Assessments, please visit our website at www.plattecanyonschools.org.

FMS Drop off/Pick up

FMS Parents, please remember the designated student pick up and drop off area is on the east side of the high school building in the student parking lot. For student safety, the parking lot at the west side of FMS is for School Buses only during drop off and pick up times. FMS/PCHS Office hours are from 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

FMS Pack the House Nights:



FMS students may stay after school and attend a home sporting event on a Pack the House Night. In order to stay after school, students must have a signed permission slip turned into the office by the morning of the event. Students will be supervised in the Canyon Room between the end of the school day and the beginning of the sporting event. During that timeframe, students will be expected to work on homework. Concessions will be available for purchase beginning at 3:30. Our Pack the house nights will help build attendance at our sporting events and give our students an opportunity to support each other! Can’t Hide our Pride/(Pack the House T-Shirts) are for sale in the FMS Office. Please consider buying a T-Shirt and staying after school to support our FMS Mustangs!!! Pack the House permission slips may be picked up in the office.

PCHS Travel​ ​Club Any students interested in going to Croatia,​ ​Slovenia,​ ​and​ ​Italy​ over spring break have to be registered by September 30th. Please see Mrs. Williams if interested

Principal's Perspective

From Mike Schmidt: The start of the school year has brought with it a number of positive changes at PCHS. We were fortunate to hire experienced staff members to fill our teaching, counseling, and classified vacancies. These new staff members have brought a new enthusiasm and professionalism to our environment. Additionally, we were fortunate to acquire the services of two recent PCSD retirees, JoAnn Bartczak (Post-Grad adviser) and Kristy Coler (Math), to fill positions for us. We are extremely pleased with our ability to fill these positions.

Additionally, our new Learning Commons is up and running with a new look and more accessibility for students. We are excited that students will have the opportunity to use 21st century skills on a regular basis because of the new design of this beautiful space.

Finally, our new schedule has added more flexibility for students. Students now have the ability to have more elective choices into their schedules, as well as more online and Concurrent Enrollment opportunities.

From Ginger Slocum: FMS is happy to welcome our new staff members this year: Katrina Atkinson, 6th Grade Math, Megan McKeon, 7th Grade Science, Kristine Helsper, 8th Grade Science, Trudi Voth Special Needs Teachers, A.J. Dichard Special Needs Teacher, Kyle Walpole Technology Teacher, Stacey Huxford, Teacher of Students with Significant Support Needs, Stephanie Sierzputowski District GT Liaison, Breeann Gibbons, School Counselor, Jesse Walters, Band/Music, Amanda Waterhouse, Speech/Drama.

 

Fitzsimmons Middle School continues to establish a culture of student centered, data driven curriculum and instruction. Although academics are always our number one priority at FMS, we are also adding some programs this year to support the whole child. Some of our additional programs include: student council – to build leadership skills, cheerleading- to increase school spirit, Pack the house nights – to increase attendance at our sporting events, Parents’ booster club- to provide more positive parent engagement activities, robotics club-provide innovative outlets for future careers, and social emotional education – to support our students’ as they mature socially.

 

Our first few weeks with our students have been a huge success! Student engagement and enthusiasm is evident in all classrooms! We are looking forward to another amazing year at FMS! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Ginger Slocum at 303-838-2054 x 1402 .

From Jeff Lubansky: We have had a great start to the school year! We are pleased to welcome new staff members to our team who have a wealth of experience and expertise in teaching and learning. We are also excited to add a half-time counselor in our building, Breeann Gibbons, who will be with us every afternoon at Deer Creek Elementary.

In addition to new staff members we are very enthusiastic and eager to begin our second year implementation of the Bridges math curriculum. Teachers and students are very excited to continue with the curriculum. We will also be adding a climbing wall to our gymnasium this winter for all students to use during Physical Education classes.

Finally, we will continue to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) into our practice at Deer Creek so that we can provide a world class education for all of our students.

Platte Canyon Students and Staff Experience the Eclipse

PCHS Student Council holds their annual retreat to plan for the school year. What a great group of student leaders!

Rocket Club

PCHS students and staff launch their rockets!