TJ gets serious about CSAP.
Freshmen and Sophomores prepare for CSAP. Photo by Rebecca Holt
The CSAP scores for the 2008-2009 school year were released and TJ did not meet expectations. The Thomas Jefferson administration and staff, not being fond of being considered “on watch” by the Denver Public Schools system, is buckling down and implementing new strategies to enhance student performance on the CSAP for the 2009-2010 school year. TJ Principal Sandra Just said, “TJ needs to put in efforts to improve CSAP scores and ensure students take the test seriously. We need to show everyone our best.”
The 2008-2009 school year CSAP scores did not increase from the past years and is a contributing factor to the poor school ranking because TJ did not meet expectations for proficiency in reading, writing, math and science on the standardized test. There was a 5% decrease in math from the 2008 to 2009 scores and a 2% decrease in writing. Compared to 2006 scores, the 2009 scores in all subjects decreased except for science. Reading dropped 4%, math dropped 3%, and writing dropped 5%. Just comments, “We are not where we should be with proficiency and it makes me question our motivation and if we have done everything we can to motivate students.” CSAP scores contribute to a district wide school performance framework, which is used to rank schools.
The district issues a School Performance Framework for all of the schools in Denver, and this framework puts together a little over 30 indicators to rate schools. Some of these indicators include the CSAP, ACT, attendance, parent and student surveys, and graduation rates. Schools are rated blue (exceeds expectations), green (meets expectations), yellow (approaching expectations) or red (does not meet expectations). TJ is currently rated yellow and is “on watch,” which means the district could possibly consider new curriculum, new teachers, new leadership, and “turn around” strategies to increase the school’s performance.
The framework is available for the community and parents to read; therefore TJ’s poor ranking can be a deciding factor for new student enrollment for the upcoming years. Tim Owens, the head of the Math Department at TJ said, “This is a good school. I would send my kid to this school, but I only know it is a good school because I teach here. Outsiders look at the framework and do not think TJ is a good school.”
Freshman Ty Roder said, “Being on watch makes me realize that I and everyone else in the school needs to buckle down and work harder to get higher scores so we don’t have to worry about being on watch.” Roder also admits, “I try on the CSAP, but don’t pressure myself to do well, but I will try harder this year.”
“Most students take the CSAP seriously. They read every problem but aren’t evaluating problems. They do not give their full effort, they give a ‘C’ kind of effort,” said Owens. “In order for TJ to improve its CSAP scores, students need to work harder on multiple choice questions.”
TJ is implementing new strategies to improve CSAP scores and student motivation. Teachers are meeting every Wednesday after excel to discuss lesson plans and setting goals. Teachers are talking to each other and helping each other improve their teaching styles, as well. “The math department is trying to get all of the veteran and new teachers on the same page in terms of teaching styles and vocabulary,” said Owens. The goal is to teach the students so they know and retain the information and apply it to the CSAP. There are study classes being offered to students who are on the cusp of improving to the next level on the CSAP scores. The future center (room 114) is available for CSAP help, as well.
In order to motivate the student body, the TJ Alumni Association has offered to give incentives to students who improve their CSAP scores. They will be giving rewards of $10 to anyone who moves up a level on any subject. The money will not be given until August 2010, but the Alumni Association hopes this will improve student motivation. “If I know that by doing well on this test I might get me something, I will try harder to hopefully improve,” Roder said. The full Alumni Association reward package will be revealed in the Journal later this week.
By implementing new strategies to improve scores and student motivation, TJ hopes to improve scores for the 2009-2010 school year and make the negative image a positive one. “I think that with everyone’s efforts, we will be able to show we are a great school and show some real improvement. My hope is to be better next year in the School Performance Framework and have higher CSAP scores,” said Just confidently.
