OLYMPIA — State Superintendent Randy Dorn released results last month for the 2013 Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) for Washington state’s schools.
The AMOs are part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver reissued to the state on Aug. 15.
AMOs are unique yearly targets in reading and mathematics for each subgroup, school and district in the state. They are derived by calculating “proficiency gaps” for all students and for 10 subgroups of students (for example, black or Hispanic students, or students receiving special education services).
A proficiency gap is the percentage-point difference between a group’s level of proficiency in the baseline year of 2011 and 100 percent.
Washington’s ESEA waiver requires the state to cut proficiency gaps for all students, and all subgroups, in half by 2017.
The AMO results reported represent the second incremental step on the path to that goal. Last year, was the first time AMOs were reported.
To protect student privacy, only subgroups that have at least 20 students are reported.
“The 2017 targets are realistic expectations for schools and subgroups, but they aren’t the end goals,” Dorn said. “It’s important that all students reach their full potential and we will not stop working to ensure that happens.”
According to the OSPI Washington State Report Card, overall the South Kitsap School District had a 76.3 percent proficiency in reading (above the district’s targeted 75.7 percent mark) and 70.3 in math proficiency (below the district’s 71.3 mark). The state’s marks were 74.7 and 66.8, respectively.
Results also were released for the 10 student subgroups: American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, White, Two or More Races, Limited English, Special Education and Low Income.
SKSD was on or above the targeted mark in six of the 10 student subgroups in reading. Scores below the targeted mark were among Pacific Islanders (63.4/64.5), Limited English (15.4/19.9), Special Education (35.0/42.7) and Low Income (68.3/68.9).
In math, SKSD was below the targeted mark in seven of the 10 students subgroups. American Indians (66.0/55.2), Asians (81.6/77.0) and Hispanic (70.2/66.2) students scored better than the other subgroups.
Compared to the state’s report card, SKSD’s proficiency was higher in reading in all 10 student subgroups and higher in nine of 10 subgroups in math. Limited English (23.1) was five points below the targeted mark of 28.2.
“As I review the results, I am proud of all the hard work our students and staff do each and every day to meet the ever changing high academic expectations determined at our state and federal levels,” said South Kitsap School District Superintendent Michelle Reid. “I know there is also room for improvement and staff at every level is continuously working to improve the teaching and learning experience in the district.”
