Several DeKalb Schools on Track to Be Removed From State Takeover

The Georgia Department of Education released its 2015 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores on Tuesday.

DeKalb County Schools say the district demonstrated significant academic growth, with all three categories of schools (high, middle, and elementary) receiving nearly 34 or more points out of a maximum of 40 points for academic growth:

• High schools – 36.0
• Middle schools – 35.4
• Elementary schools – 33.9

The CCRPI measures the academic achievement and progress of individual schools, school systems, and the state itself on a 100-point scale. The CCRPI represents Georgia’s accountability system.

The system also said nearly all of its schools that are eligible for state takeover are on track to leave that list.

“Our students demonstrated significant academic growth, which is a precursor to achievement,” Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green said. “Learning comes from mastering content and our students are proving they are making progress. By continuing our laser focus on classroom instruction with the best teachers, who are fairly compensated, properly motivated, and retained for the long term, we will continue to see our students grow and excel.”

From 2014 to 2015, students in 10 of the district’s 27 high schools showed double digit growth in overall scores with no declines in overall scores:

• McNair HS – 19.5
• Clarkston HS – 17.9
• Gateway to College Academy (closed) – 16.6
• Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence – 14.5
• Dunwoody HS – 12.5
• Elizabeth Andrews HS – 12.5
• Tucker HS – 12.5
• Arabia Mountain HS – 12.4
• Columbia HS – 10.8

For middle schools, 17 schools, or 55 percent, of the 31 schools demonstrated growth. Twelve elementary schools had double digit growth in overall scores with eight of these schools qualifying for Title I free or reduced lunch costs. A total of 66 elementary schools, or 79 percent, of 84 schools showed growth.

Fourteen schools scored the maximum 40 points for growth:

• Austin ES
• Arabia Mountain HS
• Brockett ES
• DeKalb Early College Academy
• DeKalb School of the Arts
• Dunwoody ES
• PATH Academy Charter
• Globe Academy Charter
• Idlewood Elementary
• Indian Creek ES
• Kittredge Magnet
• Laurel Ridge ES
• Leadership Preparatory Academy Charter
• Wadsworth Magnet

There were 11 very high performing schools with CCRPI scores exceeding 90 points as well as four schools exceeding the 100-point scale by earning additional bonus points:

• Wadsworth Magnet – 107.3
• Kittredge Magnet – 106.4
• DeKalb Early College Academy HS – 102.5
• DeKalb School of the Arts HS – 102.1
• Arabia Mountain HS
• Museum School Charter
• DeKalb School of the Arts MS
• Austin ES
• Dunwoody ES
• Fernbank ES
• Vanderlyn ES

Twenty-four schools qualified for state takeover under the governor’s proposed Opportunity School District (OSD). According to the system:

• One school, Columbia HS, is now off the list of OSD-eligible schools.
• Six schools have a three-year CCRPI average of 55 points or higher and are within 1-2 years of being off the list, including Towers HS, Freedom MS, Salem MS, Cedar Grove ES, Flat Rock ES and Snapfinger ES.
• Thirteen schools have a three-year average between 45 and 55 points and are on a path of coming off the list within 2-3 years, including Cedar Grove MS, Browns Mill ES, Canby Lane ES, Clifton ES, Columbia ES, Dunaire ES, E.L. Miller ES, Fairington ES, Oakview ES, Redan ES, McNair DLA, Panola Way ES and Toney ES.
• This leaves three schools that are in need of enhanced assistance: Stoneview ES, Flat Shoals ES and Meadowview ES.

“Our students, parents, and staff are dedicated and working hard to improve academic growth, said Dr. Green. “Now that we are not distracted on matters other than academics, we can put the focus back where is needs to be... in the classroom.”