Nine schools in the Indian River School District were classified as “Superior” when the State of Delaware released its 2008 school accountability ratings on Aug. 1.
East Millsboro Elementary School, Frankford Elementary School, Long Neck Elementary School, Lord Baltimore Elementary School, North Georgetown Elementary School, Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, Southern Delaware School of the Arts, Selbyville Middle School and the Howard T. Ennis School all received the highest-possible rating on the state’s accountability system. This marks the third consecutive year that all nine schools have been rated as “Superior.”
In addition, Sussex Central High School improved its rating from “Academic Watch” in 2007 to “Academic Progress” in 2008.
“It is very encouraging that nine schools have not only been rated as ‘Superior,’ but have also maintained this high level of performance over an extended period of time,” Superintendent Susan Bunting said. “This can only be achieved through the dedication of our teachers and staff. In the past five years, instructional leaders have made a commitment to identifying each school’s weaknesses and improving student performance in those areas. The results of their hard work are evident in these accountability ratings.
“We are also pleased that Sussex Central High School made measurable academic progress in 2007-2008. Students and staff should be proud of their improved performance on the Delaware Student Testing Program,” she added.
Accountability ratings are based on a complex formula that determines if a school achieves “Adequate Yearly Progress.”
The formula is based on the percentage of students who achieve proficiency in the English/language arts and math portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP). It also takes into account high school graduation rates, the percentage of students who participated in the state assessment, and improvement among elementary and middle school students who did not previously meet the standards. To achieve Adequate Yearly Progress, a school must meet performance targets in 37 assessment areas.
Two district schools saw their ratings drop in 2008. Georgetown Elementary School slipped from “Superior” in 2007 to “Academic Review” in 2008 while Indian River High School fell from “Commendable” to “Academic Review.” Sussex Central Middle School, which has since been divided into two schools, was also rated as “Academic Review.”
“During the next year, we will mobilize our instructional specialists to formulate strategies for improving student performance at Georgetown and Indian River,” Bunting said. “As a result, we expect each school’s accountability rating to be brought back up to an acceptable level in 2009.
“In the same regard, we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain our exemplary ratings and achieve our ultimate goal of having every district school rated as ‘Superior,’” she added.