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State assessment data from the 2009-10 school y ear shows that many of PREP-KC's partner school districts made important progress in improving student proficiency in math. (See full trendlines for all PREP-KC partner districts below.)
PREP-KC supported each of these districts in implementing Math Benchmarking to raise the level of academic rigor in math classes and support more students in successfully mastering Algebra, and beyond. Math Benchmarking is one of several strategies PREP-KC supports in partnership with urban districts and their high schools to ensure students are better prepared for college and careers. As more students become proficient in rigorous high school math, the Kansas City region will have a growing number of urban students prepared to succeed in post-secondary education without needing remediation.
Highlights from the gains on the Missouri Algebra 1 End of Course Exam include:
- In the Kansas City Missouri School District, two schools nearly doubled the percentage of students proficient or above.
- The Center School District is a leader in moving Algebra 1 from 9th to 8th grade. Center made sizable gains in the percentage of 8th graders proficient or above.
- In the Independence School District, Van Horn High School, in just two year of Math Benchmarking work, has made significant progress in increasing the percentage of students proficient or above.
Additionally, in Grandview School District, student proficiency increased by 7.6 percentage points while in the Hickman Mills School District, proficiency at Ruskin High School increased by 7.7 percentage points. (Preliminary scores for 2010.)
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There were also places where proficiency rates did not show improvement over last year. In the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, proficiency rated declined in 3 of the 4 comprehensive high schools, and the District has adopted a new K-12 curriculum/assessment program to address achievement challenges.
While Hickman Mills School District saw progress at Ruskin High School, proficiency rates declined at Hickman Mills High School. During the 2009-10 school year the entire secondary program in the district was restructured. PREP-KC worked intensively during the summer with the 6-7th grade principal and faculty who have reorganized into Smith Hale Early College Middle School.
Next Steps
With the new school year underway, PREP-KC is working closely with Kansas City's urban school districts to implement strategies designed to continue improvement trendlines in state assessment scores while also improving ACT scores and early college course-taking. Together these strategies will enable more of our city's urban students to be competitive for post-secondary education and employment, and can provide our region with a diverse and well-prepared workforce.
Related News from PREP-KC...
Center School District Makes Big Strides
"Our partnership with PREP-KC has resulted in improvements in our state test scores in Math. The residual impact of our students' success in Algebra 1 because of Benchmarking has given them confidence in their academic ability resulting in improvement in other subject areas such as Communication Arts. As a result of our partnership with PREP-KC, the Center School District will have more students ready to succeed in post-secondary education. We appreciate the support of PREP-KC and look forward to continuing and expanding this partnership."
- Dr. Bob Bartman, Superintendent, Center School District
Upper Level Math in High School = Long Term Success
Upper-level math course completion is strongly correlated with college-going and college completion. "The highest level of mathematics reached in high school continues to be a key marker in precollegiate momentum, with the tipping point of momentum towards a bachelor's degree now firmly above Algebra 2." Research also shows that students who successfully complete advanced math have higher incomes 10 years after graduating from high school, regardless of family background. See the full report.
- Toolbox Revisited, US Department of Education
Trendlines for PREP-KC Partner Districts
See trendlines for all PREP-KC partner districts.
While the majority of PREP-KC partner districts showed improvements on state assessments, there were some places where progress was not as expected. In these cases, PREP-KC is working with district partners to assess challenges and create plans that support districts in making progress this year.
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