School grades rise even as proficiency levels stabilize in Pima County

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Are Pima County students performing academically?

Newly published data shows a slight increase in school grades in primary and secondary schools, but average proficiency levels remained the same.

Letter grades for all schools in southern Arizona

13 investigations reported that the Board of Education has changed its assessment method following the pandemic to help boost grades at many struggling schools in 2023.

13 investigations added this year’s results to the massive amount of data we examined over six years.

And the data shows that much more work will be needed to return proficiency rates to 2019 levels in some districts.

Schools in top counties are once again showing off their badges of honor – or not.

The number of “A” and “B” remained approximately the same. (2024 55/A 56/B — 2023 54/A 57/B)

There are now four more Category C schools (2024 37/C – 2023 33/C) and four fewer Category D schools (2024 8/D – 2023 12/D).

In the second year, not a single school received a “D”. State letter grades for 2021-2022 can be found. HERE while the results in the 2022-2023 season. HERE.

The new grading formula focuses on growth (50 percent) and competency (30 percent) year over year, but a deeper analysis of the data shows that the average proficiency score has leveled off and is still below previous levels. – pandemic level.

State Superintendent Tom Horn, who also sits on the state board, predicted this last year when 13 investigations I reviewed the data for 2023 with him.

Horn said: “Yes, I predicted it. But we are working hard to improve all schools across the state. And I think you’ll see improvement in Pima County schools over the next two years.”

Each district’s proficiency percentage remained relatively the same in math and English, only going down or up by a percentage point or two.

The top two districts, Tucson Unified and Sunnyside, still have passing rates below 30 percent.

“Growth wants to reward schools for doing a good job educating children,” Horne said.

For example, three TUSD schools moved up two grades.

Cavett (D to B) and Dunham (C to A) elementary schools and Secret Middle School (D to B).

Cavett made a significant jump from 6 to 24 percent in maths and from 9 to 23 in English.

The school’s proficiency levels are still below pre-pandemic levels.

“But ultimately, I think parents are concerned about language proficiency,” Horne said.

The secretary noted an increase from 6 percent to 11 percent in math pass rates, which helped the school rise above its 2019 level, which helped raise its grade from a “D” to a “B.”

In terms of school grades, a further 14 schools are rated 11 or above.

“If they’ve shown improvement, they’re at that level now, they’re going to have to show improvement to continue to be ranked higher,” Horne said.

Reduced proficiency scores cost 4 Pima County schools – with a drop of two or three grades from 2023 to 24.

Math and English scores fell for Bonillas (A to C), Marian Donaldson (A to D), and Los Ninos (B to D).

Marion Donaldson dropped three grades from an A to a D.

Maldonado Amelia’s percentages haven’t changed much in three years, so his grade dropped from a “B” to a “D.”

Horn says his office is focusing on problem schools through a program called Project “Impulse”.

“Ninety-one schools were classified in the bottom 5%,” Horne said. “70% of them came out of it this year. We’ve done a good job with struggling schools, but we need to do a better job with schools overall.”

The question now becomes whether the valuation formula will return to pre-pandemic levels by tracking growth over three years rather than just one.

When 13 Investigates asked if he knew if the formula would change, Horn said, “No. This will be the decision of the State Council. There is a tendency to not want to change, to keep things consistent from year to year.”

Horne said the schools testified to the state board about keeping the current formula.

The superintendent expressed optimism about the improvement in education in the state.

13 investigations still digging through high school grades.

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