The state has released new information on school performance as required by a federal education law called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):
- A new online reporting tool called the Iowa School Performance Profiles reflects how public schools performed on a set of core accountability measures, such as results on the statewide assessment. The tool displays a school’s score based on overall performance, as well as scores based on the performance of subgroups of students. These subgroups include students who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, students receiving special education services, English learners, and students from racial/ethnic minority groups.
- Based on these scores, some schools have been identified for additional support and improvement. These determinations are not punitive, but rather are opportunities for systemic improvement.
Based on this new system of school accountability and support under ESSA, Ottumwa High School has received a designation of Targeted Support and Improvement. This is because our school has one subgroup that performed as low as the lowest 5 percent of schools. Our specific challenge includes our subgroup of students who receive special education services.
Over the next three years, our school will receive assistance and support from Great Prairie Area Education Agency and the Iowa Department of Education. With this support, our building leadership team will continue to monitor and implement our plan, narrowing our focus to ensure improvement in this subgroup.
We have many things to celebrate in our school, such as the implementation of “What I Need” (WIN) time for all students to receive additional supports, expanded opportunities for extra-curricular participation, and the recent addition of SparkTank, a project-based program that provides authentic learning opportunities for students through partnerships with local businesses and industry. We will continue to address our school’s needs through this process, which we view as an opportunity to build on the great things we have going on.
You can help by continuing to support our school, our staff, and our students. We welcome your input and will be seeking parent involvement in the process.
To locate our school’s results, as well as more information about the Iowa School Performance Profiles and ESSA, visit the following website: www.iaschoolperformance.gov or our website at www.ottumwaschools.com/about/data-and-reporting.
