Public Education: Local to Global

Benny L. Gooden, Ed.D.Superintendent of SchoolsFort Smith Public Schools

What does it mean?

How has it changed?

Why do we care?

How can we improve results?

What if we fail?

Global Connections Abound

Financial MarketsImportsExports

ManufacturingCommunicationWorld Travel

Education is Global AlsoSystem

Comparisons• Size• Organization • Demography• Selectivity at

specified levels• Curriculum

structure/control

Performance Comparisions

• TIMMS• PISA• Teacher Corps

and autonomy• Targeted

preparation• Creativity

CONFUSED?

Historical Perspective• U. S. 1940 Graduation rate +/- 50%

• Job skill requirements

• Community expectations

• Family/workplace culture

• International comparisons

What is the 21st Century

Yardstick?

Public Education in the U.S.• Public School Districts

• 13,000 in all 50 states• Sizes—Fewer than 10 students to

1,000,000 in New York PS• School Campuses

• 99,000• Students

• 49.4 million • Teachers

• 3.3 million

National Assessment of Educational Progress

(NAEP)• First administered in 1969

• Uses sampling statistics to select participants

• State data gathered beginning in 1990

• Tests in reading, math, science, writing, US history and various other subjects

4th Grade Reading:Record Performance with Gap Narrowing

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9 Year Olds – NAEP Reading

African American Latino White

4th Grade Math:Record Performance with Gap Narrowing

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9 Year Olds – NAEP Math

African American Latino White

NAEP 2008 Trends in Academic Progress, NCES

8th Grade Reading: Recent Gap Narrowing for Blacks, Less for Latinos

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13 Year Olds – NAEP Reading

African American Latino White

NAEP 2008 Trends in Academic Progress, NCES

8th Grade Math: Progress for All Groups, Some Gap Narrowing

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13 Year Olds – NAEP Math

African American Latino White

NAEP 2008 Trends in Academic Progress, NCES

12th Grade Reading: No Progress, Gaps Wider than 1988

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17 Year Olds – NAEP Reading

African American Latino White

NAEP 2008 Trends in Academic Progress, NCES

12 Grade Math: Results Mostly FlatGaps Same or Widening

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17 Year Olds – NAEP Math

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NAEP 2008 Trends in Academic Progress, NCES

How do Arkansas students compare?

NAEP Grade 8 Mathematics – All Students

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, NAEP Data Explorer

States with the Biggest Gains in Mean Scale Scores (2003 – 2009)

State GainMassachusetts 12Maryland 11New Jersey 11Arkansas 10Pennsylvania 10Texas 10

Note: Data refer to the increase in mean scale scores from 2003 to 2009. Nationwide, mean scale scores in math for all eighth-grade students increased by 6 points from 2003 to 2009.

NAEP Grade 8 Mathematics – Latino Students

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, NAEP Data Explorer

States with the Biggest Gains in Mean Scale Scores (2003 – 2009)

State GainArkansas 21Delaware 20Massachusetts 16Idaho 13Maryland 13Pennsylvania 13

Note: Data refer to the increase in mean scale scores from 2003 to 2009. Nationwide, mean scale scores in math for Latino eighth-grade students increased by 8 points from 2003 to 2009.

Overall NAEP Reading Results-2009

Grade 12

Overall NAEP Math Results-2009Grade 12

State Tests Provide Another

Measurement

80% 78%74%

65%60%

50%

71% 70% 67%

59% 61%

51%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Mathematics Literacy

Grade 4 Augmented Benchmark Exam Percent Proficient and Advanced

33%

44%48%

56%61%63%

57%

66%63%67%71%

76%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Mathematics Literacy

Grade 8 Augmented Benchmark Exam Percent Proficient and Advanced

41%37%

22%

45%45%45%51%51%

57%60%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

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90%

100%

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Literacy

Grade 11 Literacy – Spring (April) Percent

Proficient and Advanced

76%70%

66%61%

65%60%

53%

44%

37%

20%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

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100%

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Algebra I – Spring (April) (Proficient and Advanced)

69%66%

60% 59% 60%55%

48%

39%

32%

19%

0%

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30%

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2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Geometry – Spring (April) (Proficient and Advanced)

Arkansas Educational Performance Facts

• Steady progress in improved achievement

• Progress in narrowing achievement gaps

• Ranked 10th in Quality Counts report

• Improved preparation for and access to higher education

• Sound governance and financing structure

Category Arkansas United States

Overall B- C

Chance for Success C- C+

K-12 Achievement D D+

Standards, Assessments and Accountability B+ B

Transitions and Alignment B C

The Teaching Profession B+ C Finance C C+

Quality Counts Ranks Arkansas

State and Regional Parameters

• Arkansas Public Education• 239 School Districts

– Smallest 350– Largest 25,000

• 1,075 school campuses

• 468,000 students

What can be done to bring about uniform

educational performance in all

states and communities?

National Education Structure?

Every State the Same?

Every School the Same?

Attempts to Achieve Uniform Results

• Federal Standards—Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• State-initiatives• Privatization and competition• Larger Schools and Districts• More Testing

Will one model address the needs

in every community?

Does “one size fit all?”

Fort Smith Public Schools

Current Profile 2010-2011

27 Education Centers 19 elementary schools K-6 4 junior high schools 7-9 2 senior high schools 10-12 1 adult education center 1 alternative learning center 7-12

14,107 PK-12 students October, 2010

1,800 staffOctober, 2010

Enrollment Trends

Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Growth since inception 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 60 98 198 200 218 248

*Enrollment statistics represent K-12 data from each October 1. Pre-K data are presented separately.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 12,596 12,844 12,871 12,921 13,375 13,637 13,740 13,759 13,792 13,859

Change +1,263

Racial/Ethnic Composition6.7%

56.5%

14.9%

19%

2.9%

CaucasianAfrican AmericanLatinoAsian/ PacificAmerican Indian

2004-2005

2010-2011

47%

12%

27%

6%

3% 1%5%

CaucasianAfrican AmericanLatinoAsianNative Amer/ AlasHI/ Pac IsTwo/ More

Language Minority

2267

338

341

83

SpanishLaotianVietnameseOther

3409

346356

167

SpanishLaotianVietnameseOther

42782010-2011

30292004-2005

Change+ 1249

Family Economics

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Change from 2004-2010: 45% to 68.98% of Free/Reduced Meal Eligibility

Free or Reduced-Price Meals October 1, 2010

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Percentage of eligible students at each campus

Fort Smith Public Schools

Proficiency Maps, Grade 3

Proficiency Maps, Grade 8

Proficiency Maps, End of Course

DATA, DATA, DATA

What are the indicators of

success for every student?

Student Success and Curricular Rigor are Measured by Outside

Indicators• Specific Academic Tests

• ACT Performance

• Performance on Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

• College Remediation Rates

• Graduation with College and Career Ready Skills

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Fort SmithArkansasOklahomaTexasUnited States

American College Test, 201074% tested

AP (Advanced Placement)• 17 AP Courses offered in FSPS Grades 10-12

• 18 Pre-AP Courses offered in FSPS Grades 8-12 (Pre-AP Algebra is offered as a course option for 8th Grade Students)

703 FSPS Students took 1,362 Tests• 35% increase in the number of students enrolled

in AP• 36% increase in the number of tests taken in

2010• Student Tests with scores of 3,4,or 5 47%

College Remediation

High School Graduation

0102030405060708090

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Fort SmithArkansas

Source: Arkansas Department of Education

Graduation Rates for Arkansas and Fort Smith

0102030405060708090

100

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

GraduationAttendanceDrop-Out

Fort Smith Public SchoolsGraduation Indicators

Source: Arkansas Department of Education

The Greater Problem: Variations Between

GroupsSubgroup Graduation Rates—Class of 2007American Indian 50.7%

Asian 80.7%Hispanic 55.5%Black 53.7%White 76.6%

Source: U. S. Department of Education, EPE Research Center

67%

12%

10%

8%3%

WhiteBlackLatinoAsian/PacificNative American

2005 Graduation Demographics

Diplomas Awarded

• 240 Honors Diplomas• 534 Standard Diplomas• Early Graduates—3 students earned diplomas in two years.• 85 students lacked one or one-half credit, but were eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies

Total Graduates — 859 16%

7% 3%

56%

18%

WhiteBlackLatinoAsian/PacificNative American

Graduation Record

Class of 2010

Education WeekJune 2010

2010 Report again includes Fort Smith

Public Schools as one of 21 urban school districts

which

“beat the odds.”

Federal minimum standard of 85% is above any of the nation’s 50 largest school districts—and FSPS.

Keys to Improved Graduation

• Strong basic skills from Pre-K—high school

• Good school attendance• Involvement in positive school and

community activities• Parental support and engagement• Planning for a future—involving

students, parents and school personnel

Proactive Initiatives to reduce dropouts/improve

graduation• Early intervention for low

achievement• Strong emphasis on attendance• Alternative instructional programs• “Safety net” for credit recovery• Involvement of Juvenile Justice

officials• Meticulous data accountability

Consequences of Low Graduation Rates

Increased unemployment—in good times or badLess than a high school diploma15.7%

High school graduates 10.0%

Some college or associate degree8.7%

Bachelor’s degree and higher5.1%Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics November 2010

Improvement Priorities• Implement Common Core Curriculum• Increased Course Rigor• Assess Results• Increase Graduation Rates• Reduce/Eliminate Achievement Gaps

between subgroups• Increase College and Career

Readiness

What can regional civic leaders do to improve public

education?• Understand the complex issues• Advocate for higher standards for

students and schools• Send a clear message to parents,

students and potential employees that education is important

• Support those who lead and those who teach

Regional Economic and Educational Imperatives

• “Big Picture” thinking

• Strong Leadership

• Long-range planning

• Cooperative support from all stakeholders

The economic future of Fort Smith, of Arkansas and the

nation depends upon ensuring that all

students complete a high school program with college and/or career ready skills.

Fort Smith Public Schools

The mission of the Fort Smith Public Schools is to

ensure academic and personal success for each

student—today and in the future.

www.FortSmithSchools.org