State Releases 2023-24 School Performance Profiles
The Iowa Department of Education released its 2023-24 Iowa School Performance Profile scores, which is a measure of schools across the state. We want to explain our District’s scores, celebrate the highlights, and provide context about changes to the rating system that impacted how schools were evaluated this year.
Overview of the Rating System
The Iowa Department of Education’s accountability framework includes core indicators such as state assessment results, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness. Together, these indicators provide an index score and rating category for each school.
The rating categories are as follows:
- Exceptional
- High Performing
- Commendable
- Acceptable
- Needs Improvement
- Priority
Waukee CSD Highlights
I’m proud to say that as a district, Waukee CSD continues to perform well in many of the core indicators:
- Graduation rate (9% above state average)
- Students earning college credit in high school (26% above state average)
- Students participating in work-based learning (16% above state average)
- Proficiency in Math (16% above state average)
- Proficiency in English Language Arts (14% above state average)
- Proficiency in Science (14% above state average)
- EL students’ growth toward English proficiency (13% above state average)
Additionally, our chronic absenteeism rate is significantly below the state average, and we’re proud to have four elementary schools rated as “High Performing” — which places them in the top 12% of schools in the state.
Understanding Category Drops
In the new system, the category rating is not based on a school’s index score alone. Schools can receive a “target” designation if there are performance gaps among specific student groups (i.e., students eligible for free/reduced-price meals, English Language learners, students with disabilities, and students from racial/ethnic minority groups).
A target designation for a student group will automatically drop the school one full category — regardless of its overall performance. For example, a school will drop from its initial category if one student group had less than 95% participation rate in the state assessments.
The changes in the rating system impacted many schools across Iowa, including some in our District. However, it’s important to understand that a school’s category rating does not reflect the achievement of the school as a whole. Many Waukee CSD schools would have maintained their prior ranking without these new changes to the system.
What This Means Moving Forward
While the new rating system may have resulted in changes to some of our individual school ratings, Waukee CSD schools continue to perform at a high level overall. Please know that our District remains dedicated to continuous improvement, and we are already taking steps to address areas that need support. However, we also recognize that these ratings are just one measure and don’t tell the whole picture of who we are.
At Waukee CSD, our compassionate staff and teachers work tirelessly every day to support our students, ensure a positive learning environment, and create a better world. Waukee CSD had 16 National Merit Semifinalists selected this year; our Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX) program is a widely recognized leader in work-based learning; and we have an Apple Distinguished School and a “Leader in Me” Lighthouse Honor Roll school in our District. We are proud of our impressive facilities and unique opportunities for students to pursue their passions, build essential skills, and prepare for the future.
I encourage you to take a look at the scores, understand the changes to the system, and know that we are always working to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. You can find the scores on the Iowa School Performance Profile website. If you have any questions about the data or how it applies to your child’s school, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s principal.
Thank you for your support as we work to provide a strong education for all of our students.
Waukee Community School District
