JCSD Sees Favorable Reports in 2017 IA School Report Card Findings
(Johnston, Iowa) – The Iowa School Report Card system, released today by the Iowa Department of Education, shows how each public school in the state is performing on certain educational measures. For the eight schools in the Johnston Community School District, the report card looks good.
According to the state department, schools receive a score on some measures of achievement. They include student proficiency rates in math and reading, student academic growth, narrowing achievement gaps among students, college and career readiness, student attendance, graduation rates, and staff retention. Based on each school’s performance over a two-year period, the report card assigns one of six ratings: Exceptional, High-Performing, Commendable, Acceptable, Needs Improvement, and Priority.
In Johnston, all schools were rated at Commendable or above.
- Johnston High School: High-Performing
- Johnston Middle School: Commendable
- Summit Middle School: Exceptional
- Beaver Creek Elementary: High-Performing
- Horizon Elementary: Commendable
- Lawson: High-Performing
- Timber Ridge: Commendable
- Wallace: High-Performing
Ratings for each of Iowa’s schools are now available online at http://reports.educateiowa.gov/schoolreportcard/.
The state reported that because several measures on the report card are based on statewide assessment results, overall school ratings reflect a decline in proficiency rates. The following chart shows the distribution of school ratings in 2017 and 2016:
| Exceptional | High-Performing | Commendable | Acceptable | Needs Improvement | Priority | |
| 2017 | 2.2% | 8.8% | 26.4% | 41.5% | 15.3% | 5.8% |
| 2016 | 2.1% | 10% | 30.6% | 38.1% | 13.2% | 5.9% |
“We believe this new information can add to conversations in our community about how we’re preparing students for their future,” said Bruce Amendt, JCSD Associate Superintendent. “Schools are much more than labels and ratings. No chart or graph can truly capture the success stories happening in each of our schools every day. We encourage parents to talk to their child’s teachers and building principal about the learning happening in their school.”
Amendt went on to encourage community members and parents to get on the Iowa School Report Card website and investigate the educational measures and rating systems to get a better understanding of the system that was rolled out in 2015. Patrons can also review the Iowa School Report Card Quick Guide for an overview of the program and what these rankings mean for students, families, and staff.
Questions regarding Johnston’s schools’ ratings can be directed to Dr. Bruce Amendt, 515-278-0470.