From Judd Ashley, Stanton Superintendent of Schools

STANTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATA FOR 2006-2007

School districts must report to the Iowa Department of Education the percentage of their students in fourth, eighth and eleventh grades who are proficient in reading, math and science. For the 2006-2007 school year, Stanton School students ranked consistently high in state expectations for school districts. The following figures show percentages of all Stanton students, including special education students, who were proficient or above over the past four years.

Type of Data 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007

% of Graduates in Post-secondary 96% 96% 91% 89%

% of Graduates with 20+ on ACT 75% 67% 67% 59%

% of Graduates Completing

Core Curriculum 100% 100% 100% 100%

7-12 Dropout Rate .006% .006% 0% .02%

Open Enrollment – Out 7 8 8 7

Open Enrollment – In 79 81 83 68

4^th Grade Reading Proficiency 91% 90% 89% 93%

8^th Grade Reading Proficiency 84% 89% 69% 75%

11^th Grade Reading Proficiency 96% 83% 90% 85%

4^th Grade Math Proficiency 86% 90% 89% 100%

8^th Grade Math Proficiency 81% 85% 76% 71%

11^th Grade Math Proficiency 91% 75% 83% 78%

4^th Grade Science Proficiency 91% 95% 100% 87%

8^th Grade Science Proficiency 88% 90% 83% 92%

11^th Grade Science Proficiency 91% 79% 86% 89%

The Iowa Department of Education requires districts to report student proficiency levels on “one valid and reliable district-wide assessment.” The basic definition for proficient is when a student scores at the 41^st percentile or above on the district-wide assessment. Most public and private Iowa districts administer the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Iowa Test of Educational Development.

Obviously, many different things effect student achievement. Research has shown that high quality teachers who administer high quality instruction is probably the single most important factor linked to student achievement. Effective teachers who instill the desire to learn, help students develop a positive self-image, are enthusiastic themselves about what they are teaching and welcome parents as partners in the education of the child usually generate very positive results.

Eighty-nine percent of the 2007 Stanton graduates intended to pursue post secondary education training.

The American College Testing Program (ACT) is the usual college entrance exam taken by students who intend to go to college. A score of 20 or higher on the 36-point scale for the test indicates probable success in college. In 2006-2007 fifty-nine percent of Stanton High School students taking the ACT scored 20 or higher.

Students who complete a rigorous program of required and elective courses in core areas generally score substantially higher on college entrance exams. A core program is defined as four years of English/Language Arts, and three or more years of mathematics, science or social studies. Of Stanton 2007 graduates, 100 percent completed a core program.

Additional learning opportunities and advanced placement classes are available to Stanton students through shared educational agreements with Southwestern Community College, Iowa Western Community College and several area schools, as well as classes available over the Internet. Some of these classes are Business Systems Networking, Carpentry and Building Trades, Health Careers, College Trigonometry, Psychology, Calculus, Public Speaking, Statistics, Biology, Human Growth and Development. Some classes are available for dual credit (both high school and college credit).

The Stanton Board of Education, administration, teachers and parents continue to work together in partnership to best meet the individual needs of all students. The Stanton School District’s Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Education is available for public review regarding more specific achievement data. The 2007 student achievement for all public schools will eventually be posted on the state’s website.