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TCAP results disappoint

By Susan Richards

The Surveyor

TCAP scores continue to confound the Thompson School District (TSD) administration. While our students are still testing above the state average, everyone agreed that it’s not good enough.

Assistant Superintendent Judy Skupa presented the preliminary results of the third grade reading segment of the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program at last week’s work session and, while there were successes, the frustration was palpable.

Coyote Ridge and Stansberry Elementary Schools were the only two in the district that rated above the district’s goal of 90 percent of students proficient or advanced. Berthoud El scored 87 percent while Ivy Stockwell ranked at 78 percent proficient or advanced — above Colorado’s 73 percent but a significant dip for both schools.

Paul Bankes, director of elementary education, discussed the next steps in improving the stats, including professional development and a district-wide monitoring process.

“We lost some ground on TCAPs,” said Liz Rayment, District Accountability Committee (DAC) chair, who presented the annual DAC report earlier in the meeting.

Based on this report, the TSD board is asked to provide direction for the DAC in the 2013-14 school year. The top three items the DAC felt were funding priorities in the district were digital materials, devices and software, reduced class sizes, and more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs at all levels.

As Rayment steps down after a long tenure with the committee, Director Bob Kerrigan asked her what she’d like to see before she leaves.

“Money and materials for math,” she replied. “I think there’s stuff out there today that we could adopt.”

Vice Chair Kodi Fidler also encouraged the DAC to become more accessible for the parents in SAC (School Accountability Committee) in order for them to feel more empowered.

Rick Frei, safety and security manager, along with Bond Administrator Jay Earl, updated the board on changes and proposals for the district’s security. Many of them had a price tag which will be added to a future agenda before next year’s budget is finalized.

Speaking of budget matters, there will be a community forum next week at the Berthoud High School Library, Wednesday, May 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Analyzing the financial needs of the district is a complex effort that demands a large amount of collaboration and planning,” says Steve Town, district CFO. “We look forward to sharing those plans during the forums.”