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District 51 TCAP Growth Scores Above State Average

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Aug 10, 2012 at 9:14 PM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 10, 2012 at 10:12 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - District 51 officials say they are happy after finding that the recent results from the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) showed that when compared to the state's median academic growth, the district is performing above that percentile.

New Colorado Academic Standards have been put into affect across the state and that means education officials needed a new way to test students along the new standards.

"TCAP right now ... 50 percent of it is on the old standards and 50 percent on the new Colorado Academic Standards," said Bill Larsen, chief academic officer for School District 51.

The first ever TCAP scores showed District 51elementary schools' growth scores were at or above the state's growth median in reading, writing and math.

One elementary school in particular did an exceedingly good job growing in the subject of math.

"Scenic Elementary was the fourth highest scoring school in terms of median growth percentile in the state of Colorado," said Andy Laase, executive director of academic growth and achievement.

Currently the media growth for Colorado is 50 percent. District results for middle and high school for 2012 are above that average across the board.

"Overall we were very pleased with the results, again there's always places that we can improve, places to celebrate," said Larsen.

In the next year, education officials hope to finalize a new standardized test to match with the updated academic standards, District 51 officials say they think after seeing the TCAP results, their students can handle it.

"Even though we may shift to that new assessment in two years, we're well on our way with the current shift with the TCAP so we feel very confident. Yet there are places that we know we can continue to improve," said Larsen

District officials attributed the good results to the hard work of teachers, students and parents but also said new programs like a uniform math curriculum in all District 51 schools and an emphasis on the program "Writing Across the Curriculum" may have also helped.

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Check your facts. said on Thursday, Aug 16 at 3:01 PM

Do you know literally anything about the way these tests are scored? Maybe you should talk to someone about it before you start bringing down the Mesa County school system. Our kids are above average in a county that is riddled with drug users and homeless families. We are in a terrible economic recession where cuts are being made to our school district left and right. Parents dont have the time to help their children as much because they are working extra jobs. I dont know what world you live in, but I'd say all things considered, being above the average is something to get excited about. Keep up the good work District 51!

Sad said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 7:38 AM

This is very sad. This attitude is EXACTLY why our public school system is a dismal failure. Teachers and Administrators CELEBRATE poor to mediocre test results simply because they are better than other poor to mediocre test results. They should be appalled and promising to bring scores into the top 5 percentile and beyond. Sad, sad day!

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