CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has released its school accountability results for the 2021-22 school year after a two-year hiatus from reporting. The 2018-19 determinations were held constant during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. Full results are available online.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 50% of traditional schools were able to maintain their level of school performance. Additionally, 20% were able to increase their school performance rating. As our state and education system continues to recover, more support and resources are available, as 30% of Wyoming schools are performing at a lower level compared to pre-pandemic levels.
For Wyoming schools, a graduation rate below 66.7% identifies a school as needing Comprehensive Support and Improvement under federal accountability. In 2021-22, a notable positive outcome for alternative schools is an increase in four-year, on-time graduation rates with 52% of alternative schools exceeding the 66.7% threshold as compared to only 39% in 2018-19. At the same time, when looking at overall alternative school performance, 57% are Meeting or Exceeding Expectations.
School performance is evaluated on a combination of student performance indicators, including academic achievement, equity and growth based on the Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP), the state assessment. Additional indicators for high schools include post-secondary readiness and graduation rates.
Under state law, all Wyoming elementary, middle, and traditional high schools receive one of four School Performance Ratings (SPR): Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Partially Meeting Expectations, or Not Meeting Expectations. Alternative schools receive one of four SPRs: Exceeding Alternative Expectations, Meeting Alternative Expectations, Partially Meeting Alternative Expectations or Not Meeting Alternative Expectations. The 2021-22 SPRs show that 49% of Wyoming traditional schools are Meeting or Exceeding Expectations and 57% of Wyoming alternative schools are Meeting or Exceeding Alternative School Expectations.
This table compares traditional schools performance ratings* from 2021-22 to 2018-19.
This table compares alternative schools performance ratings* from 2021-22 to 2018-19.
*Small schools are excluded from these calculations. In grades 3-8, a school must have at least 10 students on the Achievement and Growth indicators in order to receive a school performance rating. In high school, a school must have at least 10 students on the Achievement and Graduation Rate indicators in order to receive a school performance rating.
Under federal law, schools in need of support are identified. There are three types of support:
- Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) is for Title I schools performing among the lowest in the state and any school with a graduation rate below 67 percent.
- Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) is for any school that has a specific group of students that is not performing well.
- Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) is for schools that have a specific group of students that is chronically not performing well.
There are currently 20 schools designated as CSI, 32 schools designated as TSI, and 16 schools designated as ATSI.
“State and federal accountability work in tandem to provide information about the overall performance of schools in Wyoming,” said Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chad Auer. “These results provide a snapshot of how schools continue to move forward – in the face of disruptions – to meet the needs of students. At the state level, we assist in providing resources for all schools – with a continued focus on helping every school succeed.”
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