Education (IDOE) recently released new Iowa School Performance Profiles for the 2023-24 school year, marking the first time new state school performance ratings and federal designations have been determined using an updated state plan for school accountability and support.
“Our performance profiles provide critical, transparent information for families, educators, and communities on how our schools are serving all students,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Built with the feedback of thousands of Iowans, our new, world-class accountability system celebrates school success and supports continuous improvement, focusing resources on the classroom and what has the greatest impact on student achievement and growth. The Department will continue to partner with schools in need of support to accelerate student learning through high-quality instructional materials and practices, evidence-based professional learning, leadership coaching, and learner engagement.”
This is the first year of designations and ratings using Iowa’s new accountability system, which includes a streamlined set of core indicators including proficiency results in English language arts, mathematics, science, student academic growth, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.
A snapshot of the Solon Community School District (SCSD)
For 2024 the Iowa Department of Education has Solon’s enrollment at 1,438 from kindergarten through high school seniors. 94.1% of the students are white, 2.6% Hispanic, 2.4% Multi-racial with 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Black, and 0.1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Males make up 51.4% of the student body with 48.5% female and 0.1% identifying as “non-binary.”
Students with disabilities (IEP) are 6.8% of the student population, 0.1% are English Learners (English as a second language), and 6.7% are considered Low Socio-Economic Status (Free and Reduced Lunch program).
Academic Performance measured ISASP participation
IDOE’s report includes a number of performance metrics comparing the SCSD to the state average with several performance categories based on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), formerly the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. In other words, it is a snapshot in time of the SCSD. The IDOE expects all students to take the ISASP or Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), an alternate assessment. Measurements show the percentage of students who were assessed in English language arts, math, and science.
99.71% took the science assessment (98.57% state average), 99.9% took the mathematics assessment (98.82% state average), and 99.9% took the English language arts assessment (98.9% state average) for an ISASP participation composite of 99.87% (98.82% state average). It was noted at the SCSD Board of Director’s meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 that the less than 100% participation is due to some IEP students taking the DLM assessments instead of the ISASP.
SCSD shows improvements in absenteeism
The state has undertaken efforts to address chronic absenteeism and the SCSD has seen improvement. Chronic absenteeism, defined by the IDOE as students who miss more than 10% of school days, for any reason. Students who are deemed chronically absent are at risk of falling behind, which threatens their chances at success in school.
Solon Schools have seen a 5.1% growth in attendance over the previous year (2.18% state average) and has one of the lowest rates of chronic absenteeism in the state at 3.25% vs. a state average of 21.63%
Graduation rates
95.28% of Solon’s high school students graduate after four years vs. a state average of 87.46% and 100% had graduated after five years vs. a state average of 89.65%.
Growth and Proficiency measurements
The SCSD showed 52% growth in English Language Arts on the ISASP and 59% growth in mathematics vs. a state average of 50%
83.38% of Solon’s students were proficient in mathematics (69.81% state average), 84.4% were proficient in English language arts (72.72% state average), and 77.97% proficiency was demonstrated on the ISASP in science (61.55% state average).
College classes popular with Solon HS students
99.05 of Solon’s high school seniors (2022-2023 school year) earned college credit while in high school vs. 68.99% statewide with 12.38% engaged in work-based learning (college courses leading to certification).
SCSD Schools earn positive ratings
The IDOE determines if schools need additional support or not, and assign an overall score and rating.
Lakeview Elementary – No support required, 451.05 overall score, “Commendable.”
Solon High School – No support required, 664.95 overall score, “High Performing.”
Solon Intermediate School – No support required, 451.05 overall score, “Commendable.”
Solon Middle School – No support required, 549.01 overall score, “Exceptional.”
The full report can be viewed online at www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ECP/StateDistrictSchool/DistrictSummary?k=9140&y=2024.