Updated DC CAS Results for Charter Schools Released

After a three-week appeals process, the final results among the charter sector show that secondary schools had the highest proficiency rates. Washington Latin Middle School students had the highest proficiency rate overall in reading (83%) and math (81%). KIPP DC: Key Academy Middle School had the highest math proficiency rate of 81%.  Thurgood Marshall Academy had the highest proficiency rates in math (71%) at the high school level.  In the elementary schools, Achievement Preparatory Academy had the highest proficiency in both subjects with 77% in reading and 80% in math. St. Coletta Special Education PCS, which serves students with significant cognitive disabilities, administered the DC CAS Alternative Assessment instead of the general assessment DC CAS.  

The goal of the NCLB legislation is to ensure that all students will be proficient or better in reading and math by 2014.  To reach that goal, each year schools and districts must meet ever-increasing AYP targets. The three determining factors for making AYP are proficiency targets for reading and math; graduation rates for high school and attendance for elementary and middle school; and 95% participation rate on the test. All student populations must meet AYP targets or safe harbor for the school to meet AYP.

“Performance on the DC CAS test is a critical barometer that the Board looks to as it evaluates a school’s achievement,” said PCSB Board Chair Brian Jones. “While we’re happy to see the gains and growth of students enrolled in the most effective charter schools, we are not complacent.  In our continuing effort to raise the bar on charter school performance, the Board will be looking for significantly improved DC CAS scores this year,” Jones said.

A handful of schools showed gains of more than 20 points over last year’s results.  Roots PCS Kennedy Street campus showed tremendous improvement in math by increasing proficiency by 46 points, and Potomac Lighthouse PCS improved math proficiency by 33 points.  Achievement Prep Academy and William E. Doar, Jr. Middle and High School campus significantly improved their reading proficiency by 21 points each.

D.C. Charter Schools that Met AYP

Top 10 Proficiency Rates for the D.C. Charter Schools

*St. Coletta, which serves students with significant cognitive disabilities, administered the DC CAS Alternative Assessment instead of the general assessment DC CAS.

*St. Coletta, which serves students with significant cognitive disabilities, administered the DC CAS Alternative Assessment instead of the general assessment DC CAS.