This year, fewer schools in Colorado achieved the highest grade and 31% more schools received one of the two lowest grades, according to preliminary results released by the Colorado Department of Education. After three years of education disrupted by the pandemic, the state has assigned each public school one of four grades, ranging from Performance Plan (the highest) to Improvement Plan, Priority Improvement Plan, and Recovery Plan (the lowest). Schools that have met their targets can use a good grade to request a waiver, while those with poor grades will have another year to improve before facing consequences. The twelve schools that scored highly include three in Aurora, three in Pueblo, two in Adams 14, two in Denver, one in Monte Vista, and one in Colorado Springs.
The RAMP designation recognizes schools that are dedicated to providing an exemplary school counseling program. Bill Metz Elementary School in the Monte Vista district achieved a high score for the second consecutive year, which could allow it to be removed from the clock. The State Board of Education can still use this year's grades to order new interventions for schools and districts that are already under improvement orders from the State Board of Education. Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes said in a press release that the grades, officially known as School Performance Framework reports, reflect the scores of state literacy and math tests on which they are largely based. This school year is a transitional period, and schools will receive grades that can serve as a warning but will not be used to add schools to the clock or move them forward.
Approximately 17% of schools and 39% of school districts had insufficient test data for the state to assign a grade. So which are the best schools in Central Colorado? To answer this question, we need to look at the data released by the Colorado Department of Education. These schools have achieved high scores on state literacy and math tests and have been recognized for their exemplary school counseling programs. The RAMP designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in school counseling programs. Bill Metz Elementary School in Monte Vista is one such school that has achieved a high score for two consecutive years. This could allow it to be removed from the clock. The State Board of Education can use this year's grades to order new interventions for schools and districts that are already under improvement orders from the State Board of Education.
This is an important step towards improving educational outcomes for students across Central Colorado. In conclusion, there are many excellent schools in Central Colorado that have achieved high scores on state literacy and math tests. These schools have also been recognized for their exemplary school counseling programs. The State Board of Education can use this year's grades to order new interventions for schools and districts that are already under improvement orders from the State Board of Education.
