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

— Courier & Press