The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is implementing a new rating system to grade the academic performance of schools and school districts.
Beginning next month, when the 2018-19 Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress scores are released, schools and districts will be graded on a one- to five-star scale, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. The new system was approved by the Kentucky Board of Education in 2017.
The structure of the new system is different from the previous statewide accountability system, which used phrases such as “proficient,” “distinguished” or “needs improvement” to rate schools and districts.
In the new rating method:
- · Elementary and middle schools will receive star ratings based on student assessments in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and writing, as well as student growth in reading and mathematics, according to the KDE — Elementary and middle school accountability will contain a measure of growth on English language proficiency on an exam that includes speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English
- · High schools will be rated based on student assessments in reading, mathematics, science, writing, academic or career readiness, and graduation rate — High school students will be graded for attaining proficiency in English.
Achievement gaps among students will be taken into consideration in the new rating system, with schools and districts subject to a one-star penalty if substantial achievement gaps exist between groups of students, according to the KDE.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
