We celebrate the start of the 2011-2012 school year, knowing that our students are capable and precious. Teachers delight in the opportunities for a new year and the attributes of each student.
The Auburn School District experienced a breakthrough year in academic achievement across the K-12 system this past school year. Kudos to students, families and teachers for their contributions to unprecedented improvements in student learning.
Here are a few examples of this success:
• In first-grade reading, at-risk performance was almost eliminated, with only 23 out of 1,068 students still at risk and 86 percent of first-graders on target.
• In third grade, MSP reading proficiency increased by 9 percent over the last year, making our third-graders among the top performers in the state.
• Third-through-fifth-grade MSP math increased by 10 percent.
• Sixth-grade MSP reading increased by 12 percent, and MSP math increased by 15 percent.
• Five-hundred more students were enrolled in honors classes, a 25-percent increase.
• High school dropout rates decreased from 4.4 to 3.4 percent, on-time graduation increased from 81 percent to 85.5 percent, and extended graduation increased from 86.2 percent to 91 percent.
• 2011 high school reading, writing and science performances all increased.
The Auburn School District is well on its way to the goal of eliminating the achievement gap and becoming a world class school district. The commitment to continuous improvement is making a difference.
The district has high free and reduced populations, with the majority of schools identified as high poverty schools. Despite this challenge, three elementary schools exited Title AYP (adequate yearly progress.) Seven of our schools now have greater than 90 percent of students meeting standard while 11 schools are beyond 85 percent meeting standard in reading and math. One school hit 99 percent in reading and another hit 95 percent in math.
These results are affirmation that the district strategic plan is moving us in the right direction. Teacher collaboration, assessment, data analysis, standards based teaching and learning, and student interventions practiced at the instructional core account for this academic progress.
Even with severe reductions in state funding over the last three years, clear focus and strategic action on behalf of student learners at the classroom level are working in Auburn.
We look forward to another year of great success for all students.
Dr. Kip Herren is superintendent of the Auburn School District. Reach him at 253-931-4900 or kherren@auburn.wednet.edu.
