PRINT ARTICLE

Contact: Mark Stevens

[email protected]

303-495-8699 (mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)

Media Alert

Aug. 29, 2019

Preliminary District Frameworks Show Improvement

The Sheridan Board of Education and Superintendent Pat Sandos reviewed preliminary district

frameworks from the Colorado Department of Education during a work session Tuesday (Aug.

27). The preliminary data reveal some progress in overall performance.

Colorado’s school district rating system analyzes data within three broad categories—academic

performance, growth of achievement, and post-secondary readiness (using indicators such as

dropout rates, graduation rates, and more).

Last year, Sheridan School District 2 was awarded 43 points—one full point behind the 44

points that would move the district up from the “priority improvement” category to the

“improvement” category. This year, the preliminary data gives Sheridan 43.5 points.

The preliminary rating won’t be finalized until December. The district, Superintendent Sandos

told the board, may appeal.

Director of Assessment Maegan Daigler said there were some bright spots in the data—and also

some concerns. Bright spots included growth in mathematics scores at the elementary level,

growth in mathematics at the middle level, and a reduction in the dropout rate at the high

school. Concerns include a dip in the middle school academic achievement scores for literacy

and science.

Hovering around the cutoff mark between categories, said Sandos, needs to change.

“We are not where we want to be,” he said, even if the overall rating shows slight

improvement. “We need to climb well into the improvement category so we are not concerned

every year. I’m cautiously optimistic we can do it.”

Learning Walk

Board members commented on a recent visit (Aug. 23) to Sheridan High School for a Learning

Walk. Board member Daniel Stange said he observed “a lot of good engagement” in the

classrooms.

“I saw high energy from both the students and the teachers,” said board member Karla Najera,

noting that the energy level was all grade levels—not just freshmen. “So it made me excited for

the school year.”

Board president Bernadette Saleh said one classroom was so focused on its work that students

“didn’t even look up when we walked in. Nothing was going to get in their way. I was really

impressed with that.”

Johnson Controls

Board members and Superintendent Sandos discussed a possible trip to visit a school in

Philadelphia that offers Career & Technical Education in collaboration with Johnson Controls.

Superintendent Sandos and the board have expressed interesting in improving relationships

with trade organizations as well as improving the preparation of students who are thinking

careers in the trades.

mindSpark Learning

At the request of board member Najera, Garrett Martin-Proctor of mindSpark Learning

provided a brief presentation about the non-profit company, which is dedicated to providing

educators with professional development and empowering them to better engage students and

inspire them to thrive in the modern workforce.

Collaborative Meeting

The Sheridan Board is looking for a date to hold a networking meeting with boards of education

in neighboring Littleton and Englewood schools.

Consent Agenda

During a brief regular meeting, all consent agenda items were approved.

About Sheridan School District 2

Located southwest of Denver, Sheridan School District 2 seeks high-level post-secondary

options for all students through continuous improvement of quality instruction. More:

www.ssd2.org

##