In honor of its significant growth in student reading, math and attendance, Cheney School District’s own Betz Elementary was presented with a Washington State Recognized School award last month, one of just 137 other elementary schools in the state to do so.
The award, based on state Smarter Balance Assessments, evaluated the school over the course of three years, ending with the 2017-2018 school year. Elementary state assessments are given to third, fourth and fifth-graders.
On Thursday, June 6, the school was officially honored for making some of the largest gains throughout the state of Washington based on the Washington School Improvement Framework measures, according to a statement released by the district. Betz students showed significant growth in math proficiency, English language arts proficiency, and regular attendance. In addition, Betz narrowed the gaps between the highest and lowest performing student subgroups.
A goal of the state Education Department has been to close gaps between the highest and lowest-performing student groups.
Data from Betz’s Washington State Report Card released by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction indicates that one of the low-performing groups has been students living in poverty, with roughly 40 percent of its population qualifying for free and reduced lunch. The data also shows special education students have struggled.
According to the report card, 92.5 percent of the 452 enrolled Betz students had fewer than 2 absences a month during the 2017-2018 school year, up nearly 7 percent from the 2015-2016 school year. Nearly every grade scored above a 90 percent in attendance, with only second grade dipping to 88.2 percent.
Former Betz principal Carol Lewis and current principal Carla Hudson could not be reached for comment due to the time of year, according to a district employee. Superintendent Rob Roettger attended the award ceremony but could not be immediately reached for comment.
Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].
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