11/30/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, (317) 327-3622
Jo Lynn Garing, (317) 327-3690 |
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ISTEP+ scores for Mayor-sponsored charter schools increase dramatically, report shows
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today issued the 2005 Accountability Report on Mayor-sponsored charter schools, showing that average ISTEP+ pass rates for the schools that gave the ISTEP+ to the same grade twice, increased dramatically for all grades and subjects.
The report analyzed how much growth students made on ISTEP+ by comparing, for example, how a class did as third-graders in 2002 with the same class’ performance as fifth-graders in 2005.
ISTEP+ pass rates for those schools - 21st Century Charter School, Christel House Academy, Flanner House Elementary School and Andrew J. Brown Academy - increased on average between 2003 and 2004 by 10 percentage points, and between 2002 and 2004 by 22 points.
By comparison, the combined change in ISTEP+ pass rates for all Indiana students between both 2003 and 2004 and 2002 and 2004 increased on average by 1 percentage point. For example, Indiana sixth graders had a pass rate of 72 percent in math in 2004 and Indiana seventh graders had a math pass rate of 73 percent in 2005.
"Our already comprehensive system of accountability has become even more meaningful because we now can see how schools are progressing on ISTEP+," Mayor Peterson said. "Overall, our analysis shows that our schools are making measurable strides, and we have seen a notable improvement in the percentage of students passing the ISTEP+ from one year to the next."
This third annual report continues to track the performance of those four schools, plus the Flanner House Higher Learning Center, all of which opened in 2002 or 2003. On October 21, the Indianapolis Charter School Board voted to revoke the charter of the Flanner House Higher Learning Center.
The report also provides initial performance information about the five schools that opened in fall 2004 - Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, Indianapolis Metropolitan Career Academies #1 and #2, KIPP Indianapolis College Preparatory and Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence.
The accountability report provides detailed information about Mayor-sponsored schools as a group and on each individual school, including:
- Student performance on the ISTEP+;
- Student gains from fall to spring on a nationally-recognized test of reading, language and math;
- Parent and staff satisfaction with the schools; and
- Expert reviews of the schools’ instructional programs, management, and financial operations.
Other highlights of the report include:
- In 62 percent of all charter school grades and subjects (for example, second grade math), students progressed at a faster pace on average than their peers in Indiana on the Northwest Evaluation Association’s (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress test.
- Students at several schools progressed faster on average than their peers in Indiana in all or almost all grades and subjects on the NWEA test:
o KIPP Indianapolis College Preparatory (100%)
o Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence (100%)
o Andrew J. Brown Academy (92%),
o 21st Century Charter School (80%), and
o Christel House Academy (75%).
- The majority of elementary and middle school students in Mayor-sponsored schools are making academic gains in most grades and subjects at a rate sufficient for them to become proficient in two years and pass the ISTEP+ at that time.
- Eighty-nine percent of parents and 85 percent of staff reported overall satisfaction with their school.
"Overall, almost all the Mayor’s charter schools are performing at high levels," said Dr. Ruth Green, expert site visit team leader of the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis. "The schools are providing a range of educational programs and services, setting high expectations for students, focusing on student performance and developing strong cultures and strategic community partnerships."
The Mayor will continue to issue this report on an annual basis. As the schools approach the end of their seven-year terms, the information in the reports will inform the Mayor’s decisions about whether to renew charters for additional years. The reports also will help schools improve their programs and services and keep parents and the public fully informed about how the schools are performing.
"Now that three years have passed since the first charter schools opened their doors, we can truly begin to measure from all perspectives the impact the schools are having on their students," Mayor Peterson said. "In most instances, students are clearly learning at high levels in positive school environments."
Mayor Peterson is the only mayor in the nation with the authority to charter schools. Three additional Mayor-sponsored schools opened this fall, and six more have been approved for future years.
More than 1,700 students attended Mayor-sponsored charter schools in 2004-05.
To view the full report and the supplemental reports, visit www.indygov.org/mayor/charter.
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