Over half of EVSC, state schools meet federal expectations in new rating system
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Just over half of Indiana schools are meeting or exceeding federal academic expectations, while 11 percent are failing to hit that mark, according to new school ratings released by the state Friday.
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Friday released the Federal 2018-2019 School Accountability Ratings. In the data, over 56 percent of high schools and 53 percent of elementary and middle schools received a rating of Meets Expectations or Exceeds Expectations.
“I am proud of the work Indiana schools are doing to academically prepare our children for life beyond high school,” State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick said.
And though there were 205 schools — 11.3 percent — across the state that didn't meet federal expectations, 620 Indiana schools — 34.2 — were recognized for the assessment's Approaching Expectations rating.
The switch from letter grades to overall ratings
Schools will still receive A-F accountability scores from the state, but the federal accountability measure has shifted to the four categories instead: Exceeds, Meets, Approaches and Does Not Meet Expectations.
Schools were rated based on students' proficiency on statewide tests, graduation rates, the closing of achievement gaps and other factors on a point scale varying in range — like in past years.
Once every school's points were accounted for, they were then placed in categories based on their accountability scores.
IDOE Press Secretary Adam Baker said the federal rating system moved from the previous assessment to separate itself from Indiana's accountability grade system.
McCormick said the schools, teachers and parents deserve a different rating system.
“To better serve schools for future successes, it is important we develop a single modernized state-legislated accountability system that is fair, accurate and transparent," McCormick said.
Baker said the new system will "provide actionable data that is accessible and aligned to state policy goals for performance." In turn, it will help to accurately measure students' academic achievement and promote further progress long term, he said.
"The Department did not want another year with schools receiving two A-F grades," Baker said. "Doing so now also allows alignment with the first year of the ILEARN assessment to provide a baseline to (determine) long-term goals and the scale for determining performance toward these goals."
EVSC school accountability ratings
Based on the data, ratings from Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. schools are nearly in line with the state's overall accountability results.
Out of 35 EVSC schools ranked for the accountability ratings, 18 schools — 51.4 percent — met statewide expectations and seven others — 20 percent — approached the baseline set by the federal ratings system. Scott Elementary was the only EVSC school recognized for Exceeding Expectations.
However, eight EVSC schools — 22.9 percent — were marked under the Does Not Meet Expectations rating. Those schools include Academy for Innovative Studies, Caze, Washington, Evans, Cedar Hall, McGary, Glenwood Leadership Academy and Lincoln School.
Area school ratings
► Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.
Academy for Innovative Studies: Does Not Meet Expectations
Bosse High School: Approaches Expectations
Caze Elementary School: Does Not Meet Expectations
Cedar Hall Community School: Does Not Meet Expectations
Central High School: Meets Expectations
Cynthia Heights Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Daniel Wertz Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Delaware Elementary School: Approaches Expectations
Dexter Elementary School: Approaches Expectations
Evans School: Does Not Meet Expectations
Fairlawn Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Glenwood Leadership Academy: Does Not Meet Expectations
Harrison High School: Approaches Expectations
Harper Elementary School: Approaches Expectations
Hebron Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Helfrich Park STEM Academy: Meets Expectations
Highland Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Lincoln School: Does Not Meet Expectations
Lodge Community School: Approaches Expectations
McGary Middle School: Does Not Meet Expectations
New Tech Institute: Meets Expectations
North High School: Meets Expectations
North Junior High School: Meets Expectations
Oak Hill Elementary: Meets Expectations
Perry Heights Middle School: Meets Expectations
Plaza Park International Prep Academy: Approaches Expectations
Reitz High School: Meets Expectations
Scott Elementary School: Exceeds Expectations
Stockwell Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Stringtown Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Tekoppel Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Thompkins Middle School: Meets Expectations
Vogel Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Washington Middle School: Does Not Meet Expectations
West Terrace Elementary School: Meets Expectations
► Warrick County School Corp.
Boonville High School: Approaches Expectations
Boonville Middle School: Meets Expectations
Castle High School: Meets Expectations
Castle North Middle School: Meets Expectations
Castle South Middle School: Meets Expectations
Chandler Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Elberfeld Elementary School: Meets Expectations
John H Castle Elementary School: Exceeds Expectations
Loge Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Lynnville Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Newburgh Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Oakdale Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Sharon Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Tecumseh Middle School: Meets Expectations
Tecumseh High School: Meets Expectations
Tennyson Elementary: Meets Expectations
Yankeetown Elementary School: Approaches Expectations
► MSD North Posey County
North Posey Junior High: Meets Expectations
North Posey High School: Meets Expectations
North Elementary School: Meets Expectations
South Terrace Elementary School: Meets Expectations
► MSD of Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon High School: Meets Expectations
Mount Vernon Junior High School: Meets Expectations
West Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Farmersville Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Marrs Elementary School: Meets Expectations
► Independent Non-Public Schools
Signature School Inc.: Exceeds Expectations
Joshua Academy: Approaches Expectations
► East Gibson School Corp.
Barton Township Elementary: Meets Expectations
Francisco Elementary School: Meets Expectations
Oakland City Elementary School: Approaches Expectations
Waldo J Wood Memorial Junior High: Approaches Expectations
Waldo J Wood Memorial High: Approaches Expectations
► North Gibson School Corp.
Princeton Community Intermediate School: Approaches Expectations
Princeton Community Primary School: Approaches Expectations
Princeton Community Middle: Approaches Expectations
Princeton Community High School: Meets Expectations
► South Gibson School Corp.
Habustadt Community School: Meets Expectations
Gibson Southern High School: Meets Expectations
Fort Branch Community School: Meets Expectations
Owensville Community School: Meets Expectations