27J’s state test scores: a mixed bag of results

The state’s Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS tests, were given last spring. The results are now in.

As a district, 27J Schools had a mixed bag of results. School officials said there were some pockets of progress, but results still did not see the overall improvement expected.

Achievement data represents the percentage of students who meet or exceed grade-level expectations through CMAS. Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile. The state defines “typical” growth is within the range of 36-65.

Achievement data is represented as the percentage of students who meet or exceed grade-level expectations through CMAS.  Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile.  Typical growth is within the range of 36-65.

In elementary, English Language Arts (ELA, including reading and writing), the district scored 34.9 in 2022-2023. This year, that score is 33.5. In elementary math, the district scored 29.2 in 2022-2023. This year, that score is 28.8. There continue to be gaps in achievement for specific student populations with the largest gaps for multilingual learners which mostly include students learning English, and students with disabilities. Use this link to view results by subject, school and grade.  

Results summary of the 2024 CMAS for grades 3-5 include:

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade level expectations in 3rd grade ELA increased compared to 2023.

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade level expectations in 4th grade math decreased from 24.6 in 2023 to 24.3 in 2024.

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade level expectations in 5th grade science increased from 24.1 in 2023 to 25.6 in 2024.

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade level expectations in 4th grade ELA showed the largest decrease compared to 2023 for elementary grades. Scores went from 37.3 last year to 31.3 this year.

• Overall achievement for combined elementary grades for math has remained about the same for the past three years while ELA showed a decline.

Achievement data is represented as the percentage of students who meet or exceed grade level expectations through CMAS.  Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile.  Typical growth is within the range of 36-65.

 

Achievement data is represented as the percentage of students who meet or exceed grade level expectations through CMAS.  Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile.  Typical growth is within the range of 36-65.

In middle school math, the district scored 15.7 in 2022-2023. This year, that score increased to 16.8. In English Language Arts (ELA, including reading and writing), the district scored 29 in 2022-2023. This year, that score was 27.4. There continue to be gaps in achievement for specific student populations with the largest gaps showing in multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Results of the 2024 CMAS for grades 6-8 include:

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade-level expectations for 7th grade math has increased over the past three years.

• The percentage of students who met/exceeded grade-level expectations for 8th grade ELA, math, and science in 2024 increased compared to 2023 results. ELA results went from 26.8 last year to 28.7 this year. In math, results went from 16.2 last year to 17.8 this year. And in science, results went from 16.8 last year to 18.3 this year.

• Overall achievement in middle school ELA and math declined compared to 2021 results.

Achievement data is represented as the percentage of students who meet or exceed grade-level expectations through the PSAT and SAT. Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile. Typical growth is within the range of 36-65.

Achievement data is represented as the percent of students who meet or exceed grade level expectations through PSAT and SAT.  Growth data is represented as the median growth percentile.  Typical growth is within the range of 36-65.

For SAT (11th-grade) math, the district score was 21 in 2022-2023. This year, that score slipped to 16. In 2022-2023, the district’s SAT (11th-grade) Reading and Writing score was 46.1. This year, that score increased to 49. 

There continue to be gaps in achievement for specific student populations with the largest gaps showing in multilingual learners and students with disabilities

The summary of results of the 2024 PSAT and SAT tests show:

• 59.9 percent of students met/exceeded the benchmark in 2023 on the 10th grade PSAT in Reading and Writing. That score increased to 62 in 2024.  

• In math, the percentage of students who met or exceeded the benchmark in 2024 on 9th grade PSAT and 10th grade PSAT decreased compared to 2023.

“While there are some increases in achievement, the results aren’t what we expect to see. Students need to achieve greater growth to see an increase in their achievement,” Executive Director of Learning Services Karla Reider said. 

Improving student achievement effectively involves having clarity about what needs to change to achieve a higher result. CMAS results provide important data that teachers, principals and district leaders use to determine where there are gaps in performance among various student groups. Using that data, educators chart improvement plans and monitor the effectiveness of changes in how students are taught.

“As a district, we’re concentrating on further examining the data to get to the heart of instructional changes that will make the biggest impact on achievement,” Executive Director of Schools Brett Minne said.

It’s not just a matter of finding where performance is sluggish; it’s also about finding where improvements are clear.

“We’re digging into the data to find what areas need greater attention and improvement,” Reider said. “With the full data reports, school leaders and teachers can identify what skills specific students need more help with to best understand and be able to demonstrate those skills.”  

Results show the district is still working to rise above its own performance levels set before the pandemic. Nationwide, schools have had to focus extra effort on making up for “COVID academic loss.” 

Reider said she’s looking forward to parents getting their child’s individual test results. This will give parents and teachers a common understanding of where their student needs to spend more time studying. Parents can then track their student’s classroom progress and test results with those points in mind using the district’s student information system, the Infinite Campus parent portal.