In 2019 for the first time Jeffco’s students learned less than their peers across the state in both Math and English Language Arts. Students across the state take year end assessments and the amount they have learned is measured in each grade level. The amount learned is compared to similar students across the state to get a measure of academic growth. In 2019 Jeffco’s students learned less than the average group of students across the state in both Math. Jeffco students learned less than students in Denver, Boulder, Cherry Creek, and even Englewood and Aurora students learned more in Math.
In English Language Arts Jeffco’s students also learned less than the average students across the state. Again Jeffco students learned less than students in Denver, Boulder, Cherry Creek and Aurora.
And for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch (FRL) the results are worse. In all grades 3rd – 8th less than one in three students who qualify for free or reduced lunch met state expectation in English Language Arts. That means out of three students two DID NOT meet expectation. In third grade the results show only one in four students met state expectations. If students can’t read by the end of third grade, they will have a very difficult time learning content as they begin to read to learn.
Looking at Math in no grade did more than 25% of student meet grade level expectations in Math. By 6th grade only 15% of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch met state standards. That means more than 5 out of 6 students in 6th grade who qualify for free and reduced lunch DID NOT meet grade level math expectations.
Over the last three years there has also been a decline in Jeffco’s high school students’ SAT scores. This National test is used to measure students’ readiness to College and Career. The average SAT composite score has declined from 1062 ro 1048.
Sources:
Chalkbeat “2019 Colorado Test Results” https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2019/08/15/2019-colorado-test-results/
Jeffco School Board Presentation 9/5/2019: 2018-9 District Performance and Improvement
District Performance Review