Fifty-one percent (18) schools in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation again received an “A†or showed improvement in Indiana’s 2012-13 accountability grading system.  School grades were made official during today’s State Board of Education meeting.
Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, the State Board of Education changed the labels for school categories based on student performance from the terms Exemplary, Commendable, Academic Progress, Academic Watch and Academic Probation to letter grades (A, B, C, D and F).Â
Thirty-seven percent of EVSC schools showed improvement by one or more letter grades this year. Nine schools increased their ranking by two or more grades. Helfrich Park STEM Academy increased by three letter grades to a “B†and Tekoppel Elementary increased by three grades to an “A.â€
Superintendent David Smith said that he credits the work of teachers in the EVSC and the corresponding work of their students for the gains made in just one year. In recent years, the EVSC has strengthened its dedication to providing rigorous and challenging curriculum for high achieving students, and begun a focused intervention program for those who struggle. “We know that high functioning teams with a focus on a rigorous common curriculum, engaging differentiated instruction, common assessments, and data driven interventions will ensure that each student will reach their maximum potential,†Smith said. “Great people working together can do extraordinary things.â€
Velinda Stubbs, chief academic officer, said the EVSC Administration is very proud of teachers’ work. “The increases in grades are a direct reflection of their dedication to our students and new initiatives that have been undertaken,†Stubbs said. “The numbers of schools receiving an “A,†“B,†or “C†has increased by 8, for a total of 23 of the EVSC schools. And, furthermore – those schools who received a failing grade last year, have been reduced by nearly half in one year.â€
School grades for EVSC schools are:
