Lyons Recorder Newspaper - Local news from Lyons, Colorado for over 60 years

St. Vrain School District has reported CSAP scores for 2009/2010. The district saw an overall improvement in performance in a year when the state norm was for an overall decrease. Lyons Elementary is one of the district’s shining stars this year. The majority of tests showed an increase in the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced.

The 3rd grade class achieved something remarkable. None of its students are unsatisfactory in reading or math.

Lyons Elementary is a small school. The composition of each class has a large influence on the CSAP scores. The best way to review CSAP scores is to follow a class as it advances each year. For example, a class that scored 75% proficient or advanced this year is usually cause for celebration but if the same group of kids scored 85% the previous year, then maybe its not a good result.

The 4th grade class made large gains in math and writing. Reading performance made a small gain.

The 5th grade made significant gains in all areas. The class made large improvements in the advanced scores. The 5th grade also takes the science test where they scored 71% proficient plus advanced and 18% advanced.

Which class is most impressive? Its hard to say. From a “no child left behind” perspective, it must be the 3rd grade. From an overall improvement perspective, the 4th grade’s improvements in writing and math impress. However, the 5th grade’s large improvement in advanced scores combined with strong numbers overall must earn them the day’s honors. Its hair splitting. The kids did a great job. It makes us proud.

Krista Keppler, principle of Lyons Elementary, was asked about the school’s performance. She thanked her talented and dedicated staff. She credited much of the success on improved district measurement of student progress and teacher cooperation.

Here’s the CSAP scores of the 5th grade class for 2008 when they were 3rd graders.

Compare 2008 with 2009. Notice the fall of math scores in the proficient plus advanced section. Notice the decrease in advanced writing. What caused this? The CSAP is an objective test. Curse it or bless it. Its a stable metric from which to measure performance.

The district makes changes in its curriculum and methods each year. Its process of continual improvement. This is a very good thing over a period of decades. But year to year its barely noticeable because the state averages move only a little year to year.

The kids that make up the 5th grade class hasn’t changes dramatically. The 5th grade is known to have some pranksters but it seems unlikely the entire class sandbagged the 4th grade test just to irritate their parents and teachers.

The teaching staff of Lyons Elementary has been composed of mostly the same teachers. They all go threw the same state certification process. Each year they all show dedication to duty.

What is the one thing that changes every year at Lyon Elementary? Class and teacher allocation. Sometimes there are 3 combo classes of 2nd and 3rd graders. Sometimes there is a mix of dedicated classes and combo classes. Sometimes there is drama as parents try to get their kids into the class they feel is most appropriate.

When the 2010 5th grade class was 3rd graders, the school had three combo classes of 3rd and 4th graders with a full-time teacher in each. When the 2010 5th grade class was 4th graders, the school had a large single 4th grade class supplemented by a para-professional. And as 5th graders, the class had one and 3/4th full time teachers supplemented by para-professional. Class performance rises and falls in proportion to the amount of resources allocated to them.

Lyons Elementary administration deserves praise for this year’s good results. Just as much, they deserve criticism for performance that rises and falls 20% or more year to year. There is always a balance between education goals and the budget. Large performance swings means resources are too constrained to achieve consistent results.