TJ achieves green level – meeting expectations – on the School Performance Framework.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
Based on last year’s improvements, TJ has now excelled to green level – which means “meets expectations” – from its previous position at a yellow level – meaning “approaching expectations” – on the Denver Public Schools Schools Performance Framework (SPF). This advancement is due to growth in areas such as student achievement level, post-secondary readiness, center-based program offerings, and re-enrollment.
According to Principal Sandra Just, the progression seen in these aspects of the school is also a result of performance in the TJ community. “There was a dedicated effort from the staff to look for targeted intervention for struggling students. They put a lot of effort into recruitment and improving the perception of TJ, and that was a huge benefit,” said Just, acknowledging student differences in supporting students. “For example, we did a lot of work with supporting students’ behaviors. If I had to choose one thing that we owe our improvements to, it’d be losing the ‘one size fits all’ mentality.”
However, TJ’s development can also be credited to devoted students and their endeavors in improving the school. “Last year’s students brought in a lot more student voice, starting conversations on how people could change, be honest, and take positive positions in our community,” stated Just. “We also saw seniors taking part in CSAP marketing, making a huge difference from peer to peer. There were significant attitude shifts just because of that. People may never like the test, but last year’s students definitely put in a word for good effort.”
Because of excelling in performance standards such as post-secondary readiness growth – meeting expectations with 51% of possible points earned – and student achievement level status – meeting expectations with 58% of possible points earned – TJ is now meeting district expectations with 51% of overall school performance points.
However, TJ is still not meeting expectations in a few areas on the SPF, including parent satisfaction. “This is the toughest category to excel in,” said Just. “We just have to continue to talk to parents. The district expects us to reach an exact percentage, so it’s all or nothing. As far as the district is concerned, are there better means of understanding parental satisfaction? Probably. But it’s still a constant struggle for us to achieve their expectations.”
With last year’s accomplishments kept in mind, Just hopes to continue TJ’s success in this year’s SPF, as well. “We need to find out what our needs are and how we can best meet them,” said Just. “Last year’s success was a great validation for the work we’ve been putting in over the years. It’s an accomplishment we want to celebrate, but we still have work ahead of us.”
This year, TJ students and staff hope to attain blue level, which means exceeding expectations. “Now, our goal is to get to blue,” said Just. “That’s the top of the heap. We truly believe that’s where we should be. We have great kids, and we should be able to show that we deserve to receive that accolade. We really have great potential, motivated students and parents, an amazing staff, genuine motivations, and visions to make the school better. I think all of that will lead us to the blue path.”
But ultimately, regardless of TJ’s status on a report, Just believes that TJ’s advancement can be measured by more than mere colors. “Green, blue, purple, whatever; it’s all great,” said Just. “But for me, our work isn’t done until all students can achieve post secondary success. And that’s a vision that goes beyond the color-scheme.”
