Residents of Nebraska have long been known for living “the Good Life.” Certainly contributing to this good life is our state’s education system. Our schools are the pride of our state, with educators dedicated to their profession, communities supporting their public schools, and students learning 21st-century skills to make them successful.

The Nebraska State Board believes that quality educational opportunities focus on supports for students transitioning between grade levels, programs, schools, districts, and ultimately college and careers.

For the first time in 2016-17, Nebraska administered the ACT to all 11th graders in the state.  Even the NeSA tests in English Language Arts, mathematics, and science have changed. Therefore, this data is a new baseline or a snapshot of our school system.  Not only have the assessments changed but so has the whole accountability system.

The following is the conceptual framework established by the Nebraska State Board.   AQuESTT (Accountability for a quality education system, today & tomorrow).

AQuESTT Tenets:

Positive Partnerships, Relationships & Student Success-- Student engagement through positive partnerships and relationships are fundamental to successful schools and districts. Support schools and districts to implement best practices in student, parent/guardian and community engagement to enhance educational experiences and opportunities.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Individualized or Personalized Learning Plans  
  • Attendance and Participation  
  • Family Engagement  
  • Community and Support Services

Transitions-- Quality educational opportunities focus on supports for students transitioning between grade levels, programs, schools, districts and ultimately college and careers.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Early Childhood-Elementary  
  • Elementary-Middle School  
  • Middle School-High School  
  • High School-Post High School

Educational Opportunities and Access-- All students should have access to comprehensive instructional opportunities to be prepared for postsecondary education and career goals.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Early Childhood Education  
  • Comprehensive Learning Opportunities  
  • Expanded Learning Opportunities  
  • Blended Learning Opportunities

College & Career Ready-- Every student upon completion of their secondary education shall be prepared for postsecondary educational opportunities and to pursue their career goals.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Rigorous College & Career Ready Standards for All Content Areas  
  • Technological & Digital Readiness  
  • Support for Career Awareness and Career/College Goals

Assessment-- Results of multiple assessment sources (national, state, and classroom-based) should be used to measure student achievement of college and career ready standards, and be used as an integral part of the instructional process.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Individualized/Adaptive Assessments  
  • Classroom-Based Assessments  
  • State Assessments  
  • National/International Assessments

Educator Effectiveness-- Students surrounded by effective educators throughout their learning experiences such that schools and districts develop effective teachers and leaders that establish a culture of success.

Areas of Focus:  

  • Nebraska Teacher & Principal Performance Framework  
  • Professional Development  
  • Building Leadership Supports  
  • Effective Local Policy Makers & Superintendents

AQuESTT aligns with the processes of state accreditation of school districts and serves as a blueprint for continuous improvement for each school and school district in Nebraska. With a vision to improve teaching and learning and student success and access in all Nebraska public schools and districts.

AQuESTT’s broad theory of action utilizes strategies to provide increased support to lowest performing schools and greater freedom for innovation for excellent schools resulting in increased community and student engagement, growth in student performance, and collaboration across the system.

The Nebraska Department of Education and State Board of Education wish for there to be no achievement gaps between subgroups, and aspire to have 100 percent proficiency for all students regardless of zip code, socioeconomic status, or demographic. In consultation with the Governor, the NDE is also proposing a series of “challenge” or “stretch goals” for the school systems in Nebraska. These goals can accelerate the closing of the achievement gaps. The NDE plans to continually reevaluate student progress towards goals.

Grade level Percent Proficient for the 2016-2017 school year.

 

Grade 3

NeSA

Grade 4

NeSA

Grade 5

 NeSA

Grade 6

NeSA

Grade 7

NeSA

Grade 8

NeSA

Grade 11

ACT

English

39

59

55

58

63

71

67

Math

75

78

91

81

83

94

75

Science

N/A

N/A

90

N/A

N/A

85

67

CPS will continue to align grade level and content area curriculum, analyze data, reflect, and determine a course of action to narrow our achievement gaps.  Part of that analysis is to examine more than one piece of data before decisions are made.  We are committed to continuous improvement.  

Commissioner of Education, Matthew Blomstedt stated, “Gains in student achievement are due to the collaborative efforts of teachers, staff, parents, and community members through high quality instruction, effective leadership, and partnerships.  We know that tests are an important part of teaching and learning, but we also understand that basing a student’s achievement on a single assessment does not capture everything that is important for our children’s learning journey.” Chadron Public Schools agrees with the Commissioner.

Thank you for your continual support and sharing your child or children with us.  

Maribeth Moore

Curriculum Director

 

For more information click

Nebraska’s Consolidated State Plan Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

https://www.education.ne.gov/