The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) today released 2017-2018 student assessment results and Fort Thomas Independent Schools continued their mark of excellence across the Commonwealth.
All five district schools led the way in at least one testing category, while many of the schools topped the state rankings in some state accountability and assessment results.
Highlands High School was first in Northern Kentucky in Reading and third in the State in Proficiency, which is combined Reading and Math.
Highlands Middle School was first in the State in Math, first in Northern Kentucky in Reading and second in State in Proficiency. They were also first in Northern Kentucky in Separate Academic Indicator, which is combined Science, Social Studies and Writing.
Woodfill Elementary School was first in Northern Kentucky in Reading.
Moyer Elementary School was first in Northern Kentucky in Math.
Johnson Elementary School was first in Northern Kentucky in Growth Indicator, Science and Writing.
A full list of achievements are found below.
“These high scores illustrate how we can continue to excel on traditional assessment measures, while also ensuring all of our students are building the competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate,” said Superintendent Karen Cheser. “We continue to be proud of and excited for our achievements throughout the district. These scores are a direct reflection of the commitment, dedication and expertise of our world-class teachers.”
Kentucky is in the process of phasing in a new accountability system, which is scheduled to be fully implemented in the 2018-2019 school year and conforms to requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Senate Bill 1 (2017). Once implemented fully, school and district performance will be classified using Kentucky’s 5-star rating system.
Under this new system, accountability determinations are only made at the school level. Determinations are based on student performance on state assessments and other school quality indicators or measures, such as growth or graduation rate, depending on the grade level. Additionally, per Senate Bill 1 (2017), the new accountability system does not provide a single summative score that ranks schools against each other.
The new accountability system promotes the development of students who are well-rounded, transition-ready – prepared with knowledge, skills and essential dispositions to succeed in the next educational setting or career pathway.
In the Fort Thomas Independent Schools, teachers, staff, administrators and community members have helped shape the District’s Portrait of a Graduate, which has upped the ante on what skills, beyond the state accountability system, they want their students to possess as they leave Highlands High School.
The District’s Portrait of a Graduate competencies include being a: Global Communicator, Empathetic Collaborator, Creative Problem-Solver, Curious Critical Thinker. and Courageous Leader.
“We have worked hard to shape our Portrait of a Graduate, knowing that getting our students ready for life after high school entails more than just testing well,” said Jamee Flaherty, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. “We want them to find their passions and have the skills necessary for them to hit the ground running in what interests them in order to contribute and be successful right away.”
The new accountability system also changed the metrics throughout the state and paved the way for many schools and districts for opportunities to grow.
“We understand that we have areas of growth within the state assessment and accountability system, such as high school transition readiness, four-year graduation rate, and proficiency of students with disabilities,” said Bill Bradford, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. “We are working diligently to address these areas, but very happy overall with where Fort Thomas Independent Schools continues to rank.”
All data for the 2017-2018 assessment and accountability reporting are publicly available in Open House on the Kentucky Department of Education website. All the data will be available later this year in the new and improved online Kentucky School Report Card.
Detailed Fort Thomas Independent School Ranks:
Highlands High School
1st in Northern KY in Reading
2nd in State in Reading
3rd in State in Math
2nd in Northern KY in Math
3rd in State in Proficiency (combined Reading & Math)
Highlands Middle School
1st in State in Math
1st in Northern KY in Reading
2nd in State in Proficiency (combined Reading & Math)
1st in Northern KY in Separate Academic Indicator (combined Science, Social Studies, & Writing)
3rd in State in Reading
2nd in State in Science
Woodfill Elementary School
1st in Northern KY in Reading
Moyer Elementary School
1st in Northern KY in Math
Johnson Elementary School
1st in Northern KY in Growth Indicator
1st in Northern KY in Science
1st in Northern KY in Writing
All Elementary Schools (Woodfill, Moyer, & Johnson – combined)
1st in Northern KY in Proficiency (combined Reading & Math)
1st in Northern KY in Separate Academic Indicator (combined Science, Social Studies, & Writing)
1st in State in Separate Academic Indicator (combined Science, Social Studies, & Writing)