Bottom line, stagnant with a large drop in writing. Of course, this is after a significant 
drop from last year. The AIMS Writing test was revised and our students were not prepared for the change. Last year our superintendent assured us that, “Everyone will have a laser focus on the classroom and student achievement, and we're going to put all of our efforts there.” Guess that her two pronged strategy of differentiated instruction and focus on technology did not pan out. Who would have guessed that it would not work?
Next year’s crystal ball prediction, the administration will say…
‘Our AIMS math test scores slipped\fell because of the transition to our new math textbooks.’
Our future response. ‘You should have picked a better textbook, and why did you choose to 1) Not pilot it 2) Not phase it it? You only have yourselves to blame.’
[Click to enlarge]
What is your problem, people? Those scores are higher than the annual measurable objective for the school year. Why do you need to consistently compare yourself to Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, or Deer Valley, which are much larger districts with larger student populations? Do the math and you'll see their performance is better because they have more kids.
ReplyDeleteThen again, your comment back will most likely be people in Cave Creek can't do math. The test scores indicate that.
Can anyone state one positive contribution Debbi Burdick and her inept team of administrators at the district office and the schools have made to CCUSD since she took office and appointed all these "leaders"?
ReplyDeleteAnyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
No these folks have done nothing for the district except complaining about funding and launching more tax overrides even when enrollment have been lowered in the past few years and not to mention costing the district more funding for these elections and campaigns. Just imagine if they only work hard to improve the situation instead of complaining about the funding.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is an article in the Republic about PVUSD having a 10 point drop in writing. The test changed quite a bit and it seems that most, if not all districts dropped. It would have been nice if you had investigated and fairly reported the reason for the drop and whether surrounding districts had experienced anything similar. But, I guess you have an agenda to fill and if it doesn't fit your agenda, you don't bother.
ReplyDelete@10:39 AM,
ReplyDeleteWe mentioned the test changed, third line of this post. These revisions are not given without warning, educators have plenty of notice to prepare for these changes. So what explains this?
2011 AIMS Writing %Passing vs 2010
Cactus Shadows HS -9% to 81%
Horizon -3 to 87%
Desert Mountain -1% to 87%
Chaparral +1% to 89%
Pinnacle +1% to 86%
Our agenda does not change the fact that our students are unprepared and under perform where they should be. The blame lies with the school administration, the board that settles for mediocrity, and the parents who do not care. CCUSD has its pockets of greatness, but the culture is not high expectations, it is the status quo.
SO @10:39 AM, tell us in a guest post why we are wrong and why you think it is OK that 30% of 6th graders at Horseshoe Trails Elementary FAIL the AIMS Math test. We promise to post it in full and without commentary.
Send it to ccusdwatch@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI made a comment regarding the writing scores. Perhaps you mentioned the test changed, but you did not mention how surrounding districts performed with the change. Somehow you have taken that to be a wholesale endorsement of any problems within the schools.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think that I have any reason to write to you beyond the little bit that I do once in a while? What makes you think I care about your opinion? And, how do you know whether this is the biggest issue in my life or whether I am dealing with things that are much, much bigger?
Good luck to you. I suggest that if you really want to see the public school district have some success, you ante up and fight for paying more taxes. Yes, CCUSD has its problems, yes they have gotten worse, but your class sizes are out the door now and your district lacks some of the support staff it used to rely on, because it needs more financial support.
You might not like some of the salaries in the district, but they aren't extraordinary and they certainly do not divert enough of the money from the kids to complain. And, if you really think you can get a better Super than Debbi given the funding situation and without dangling one of heck of a package out to them to make it worthwhile, good luck to you.
I'm sure as heck willing to give someone else the benefit of the doubt. Deb has not one single accomplishment under her belt. In this economy only those on there A game should have a job. Deb is an F and that doesn't stand for Fantastic! We could do better and we should not stand for her lackluster performance!
ReplyDelete