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; rather, they come with support and funding.
Based on this new system of school accountability and support under ESSA, James has received a designation of Targeted Support and Improvement. This is because our school has two subgroups that performed as low as the lowest 5 percent of schools. Our specific challenges include our subgroups of white students and those who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program.
Over the next three years, our school will receive federal funding and resources from the state and Great Prairie Area Education Agency. With this support, our building leadership team will continue to monitor and implement our plan, narrowing our focus to ensure improvement in these two subgroups.
We have many things to celebrate in our school, such as strong student-teacher relationships, emotional and behavioral supports for students, and focused reading instruction based on individual student needs. We 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. Additional information is available on our District website at: www.ottumwaschools.com/about/data-and-reporting.