Message to the Northshore School District staff and community from Superintendent Larry Francois

With the 2013 legislative session approaching the official halfway point, numerous bills impacting education have been proposed. Many of these are attempts to implement further reforms to improve student achievement. Often times, the rhetoric around these bills can leave an impression that student achievement is in tremendous decline. That’s simply not true in our state, and particularly in our district. 

Below are some of the student achievement “highlights” I am communicating to our legislators this week as reminders of the progress being made in Northshore, as well as the continued challenges we face to assure that all students achieve at high levels.

• In 2012, 83% of Northshore 3^rd graders met or exceeded the state reading standard.
• In 2012, 82% of Northshore 5^th graders met or exceeded the state math standard, the highest percentage of 5^th graders ever in Northshore.
• 47% of this year’s 9^th graders successfully completed algebra in 8^th grade compared to 27% of the graduating class of 2012.
• 59% of the class of 2012 took math beyond Algebra 2 compared to 49% of the class of 2008.
• Since 2008, Northshore has more than doubled the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses and tests while receiving scores that qualify for college credit.
• Northshore has been named to the AP Honor Roll for three consecutive years for increasing AP participation, particularly among traditionally under-represented populations, while maintaining a greater than 70% rate of AP exam scores qualifying for college credit.
• Since 2008, Northshore has seen a better than 50% increase in the number of students taking International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, exams and successfully pursuing a full IB diploma.
• 68% of the graduating class of 2012 completed two or more AP, IB, College in the High School or Tech Prep courses – all coursework aligned to a college level standard and offering the opportunity for dual credit (high school and college).
• 74% of the class of 2012 took 3 years of lab science courses; 39% took 4 years.
• The composite average ACT score for the class of 2012 was 25 (statewide average was 22.9).
• SAT scores for Northshore students have steadily increased since 2007 and are well above state and national averages.

                                 2007                2012   

            Reading           542                  560                                         

            Math               572                  578                             

            Writing            533                  542     

            TOTAL          1,647               1,680                          

• 91% of the class of 2012 graduated on-time.
• The Northshore School Board recently updated our district’s graduation policy to include the requirement that all students take two or more AP, IB, College in the High School or Tech Prep courses in addition to a schedule of classes that meet Washington state 4-year college/university entrance requirements unless the student, his/her parents and school representative agree that the student’s high school and beyond plan justifies a different selection of coursework.

The goals and performance measures adopted by the Northshore School Board in 2010 have focused and guided our work to further improve student achievement. While there is still much to be accomplished, we are making significant and measurable progress. As the Legislature addresses their responsibility to fully fund basic education, we will use those increased resources to spread even higher levels of achievement and success to all students.