Seattle Public Schools made strong progress during 2010-2011, said Interim Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield today in her State of the District address. She pointed to student improvements in reading and math, as well as an increase in the four-year high school graduation rate.

Also today, Seattle Public Schools released its annual District Scorecard and individual School Reports. These reports provide a snapshot of each school’s student achievement, absence rates, and family and staff satisfaction.

“Thanks to our dedicated teachers, principals, staff, and engaged families and community partners, we are making great strides,” Dr. Enfield said. “Student performance is improving in nearly every area, and we have developed systems to help us continue to improve.”

Dr. Enfield said her work this year is focused on Four Pillars of Success: great principals, great teachers, families and community partners connected to schools, and a central office that serves and supports schools. The District is committed to closing the achievement and opportunity gaps in Seattle, using the motto “AGREE” – Attacking Gaps/ Raising Expectations Everywhere. Dr. Enfield urged families and community members to review today’s data in both the District Scorecard and the individual School Reports and work with school staff to find solutions.

“This is accessible data we can all use to help shape the future of our schools and ensure that every student receives a quality education regardless of ZIP code,” she said.

Dr. Enfield pointed in particular to the following achievements:

• Strong student performance.
The District Scorecard shows year-to-year growth in 18 of 23 areas. These growth areas include the following achievements:
- 85 percent of tenth-grade students met standard on the state writing exam;
- 65 percent of fourth-grade students met standard on the state math exam; and
- 79 percent of third grade students met standard on the state reading exam.

• Improved graduation rate.
In 2007-08, the four-year graduation rate was 62 percent. In 2010-11, it was 73 percent. While 100 percent is the goal, this marks a strong improvement in the District’s graduation rate.

• Rising enrollment.
As of the October, Seattle schools had a total of 48,496 students, an increase of about 700 students since May. While this growth is overwhelmingly positive, it has brought challenges. To accommodate the growing number of students, Dr. Enfield said the District is working with the community to develop a short- and long-term capacity management plan.

• Stronger evaluation systems.
Thanks to historic labor agreements, the District’s new evaluation systems for teachers and principals are now being implemented, with processes in place to recognize and reward high achievers and to support those who need additional help.

• Robust community partnerships.
Dr. Enfield acknowledged the District’s community partnerships and the many families and community members who have supported Seattle’s schools. She thanked Mayor Mike McGinn for his leadership in the successful renewal of the Families & Education Levy, and for his work on the “Be Here Get There” student attendance initiative and the statewide College Bound Scholarship program for high-achieving, low-income middle school students.

Although the District Scorecard points out many areas of improvement, Dr. Enfield said it also shows where more work is needed. A particular challenge is the fact that, while students and schools are making steady progress in nearly every area, they are not making progress fast enough to meet all of the District’s five-year goals, which were set in the 2008 Strategic Plan. Those goals were deliberately set quite high, and are therefore difficult to meet.

“We need to hold ourselves to the very highest standards,” she said, “But we may find that some of these ambitious goals take longer to achieve, especially at a time when we are experiencing significant budget cuts.”

Dr. Enfield pointed to a number of specific challenges she and District staff will address over the coming year, including achievement gaps, dwindling resources and capacity management issues.

For a copy of the District Scorecard, and to look up School Reports for Ballard schools, visit: http://bit.ly/school_reports