Markesan District Schools

School Accountability 2019 for Markesan Schools

Written by the Markesan District Schools Data Analysis Team

November 15, 2019

“Wisconsin uses school and district report cards to provide information to families about their local schools. The report cards measure important pieces of data that shed light on how a school or district is doing and where it can improve.” Wisconsin DPI

In the Markesan School District, a Data Analysis team made up of teachers representing the four schools analyzes the testing results and elements of the school and district report cards in order to keep the district striving to help EVERY student grow and achieve. 

The tasks of the Data Analysis team are to:

• Examine assessment data from state and local assessments
• Analyze performance patterns
• Gather insights about student performance

• Research resources to support growth and needs 

• Support the sharing of analysis and development of action steps with colleagues

Pride Points

After examining the testing results and the district and school report cards for 2019, the team is proud to report our strengths of:

• Excellent Growth scores- a 5.0/5.0 score for ELA growth at Markesan Middle School, a 4.4/5 for Math Growth for the subgroup of students with disabilities at Markesan Intermediate.

• An increase of math achievement and growth within the subgroups of English Language Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, and Students with Disabilities tested at Markesan Intermediate.
  
  

• High Closing Achievement Gaps scores in Math and ELA for Markesan High School.

• All four categories-Student Achievement, Growth, Closing Achievement Gaps and On-Track/Post Secondary readiness of the Markesan District Report Card are notably higher than state averages.
• The overall Report Card score for Markesan Intermediate has increased 10 points in the past four years.

• Markesan Intermediate and Markesan High School are rated at Exceeds Expectations for 2019.

• Markesan Middle School is rated Significantly Exceeding Expectations for the fourth year in a row .

Focus for Growth 

The Data Analysis team has reviewed the data from the 2019 testing and the 2019 report cards and want the actions of teachers, support staff and administration to put a focus toward:

• Developing students’ stamina and skill to read a text and write an essay on demand in one sitting.

• Strengthening number sense and mental math skills and applying essential math skills.

• Embracing the power and joy of reading.

• Studying what other schools with similar socio-economic and population trends are doing to support students in both academic and social-emotional learning. 

• Striving to enhance our students’ academic and social emotional strengths for future success for every student.

Changes in School Report Card Calculations

The 2019 School Report Card includes different calculations than previous years. The growth and achievement of 120 more students who were tested in grades 9 and 10 are now added into the report card calculations. The Markesan District is somewhat unique in that the Primary School has the results from one grade level, third, put in the spotlight by itself. This can result in “outlier” changes in scores from year to year as it is assessing a very small group of students.

The demographics of our district continue to diversify. The School Accountability Report Cards puts focus on diverse sub groups-Economically Disadvantaged, English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities and Hispanic Students in order to monitor progress of these sub groups. 

Goals

Each year provides a different experience for students.  It may be a year of many snow days, and changes in schedule that can impact learning. The challenge of school accountability measures are trying to meet these achievement and growth goals while responding and supporting the social-emotional needs of our students. 

Our staff began the 2019-2020 school year with a focus on developing every student to be a kind human being who is a strong thinker and a thoughtful learner. A tour of the Markesan District Schools Facebook page will show you these elements in action. A School Report Card or set of test results do not always show these important facets of student growth..

Markesan has continued to be a district that Exceeds Expectations. In comparison to sixteen local school districts, we rank third in the 2019 District Report Card score. When comparing to sixteen other local middle and high schools, both Markesan Middle School and Markesan High School ranks FIRST in school report card scores.  

*Combined score -average of elementary schools within a district.

You can support our students by being an active and supportive parent, grandparent, community member and citizen. We can all build relationships with our students to provide them with the security and support they need to grow and achieve.