Berthoud Weekly Surveyor | Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot

Berthoud elementary schools receive state honors

January 18, 2019 | Local News

By Dan Karpiel

The Surveyor

Both of Berthoud’s elementary schools collected some hardware as a result of their performance on the most recent statewide school performance assessments.

Ivy Stockwell and Berthoud Elementary were both recognized with the state’s John Irwin Schools of Excellent Award from the Colorado Department of Education (CDOE). Ivy Stockwell also earned the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award. The Berthoud schools were two of only three schools in the Thompson School District (TSD) to receive the John Irwin Award, the other being Loveland’s Big Thompson Elementary. Ivy was joined by Big Thompson, Centennial and Coyote Ridge Elementary schools as other TSD schools to be recognized with the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our entire school community,” Ivy Principal Rick Bowles said. “This is a testament to the amazing staff at Ivy Stockwell, the incredible students, and the supportive parents and community.”

The John Irwin Schools of Excellent Award is given to the schools that exceed performance framework standards on the states testing assessments that evaluate student achievements in mathematics, English/language arts and science.

Melanie Patterson, principal at Berthoud Elementary said, “We appreciate the recognition of the efforts of our students and staff, and we are committed to continue to meet the needs of our growing and changing school community. Berthoud Elementary is fortunate to have the support of an invested community, and to be able to partner with our outstanding colleagues at Ivy Stockwell Elementary, Turner Middle School and Berthoud High School.”

According to CDOE, “The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement over time. These schools received an Exceeds Expectations rating on the Academic Achievement indicator of the School Performance Frameworks reflecting exceptional performance in math, English language arts, and science.” The award was named posthumously for John Irwin, a former Colorado state representative, who worked tirelessly throughout his adult life to improve education in Colorado.

According to the CDOE, “The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools “exceed” expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth and “meet or exceed” expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps.”

Ivy received a 96.4 rating on academic achievement a perfect 100.0 score on academic growth. The school also exceeded state requirements on testing in English/language arts (ELA), mathematics and science on both the academic achievement and academic growth metrics. For free and reduced lunch students and minority students, Ivy met the state expectations. Berthoud Elementary (81.8 overall score) exceeded academic achievement rates (91.1) and met academic growth (75.0).

Ivy saw an increase of 1.3 percent in ELA and 7.4 percent in mathematics in students who met or exceeded expectations relative to 2017. Of all students at Berthoud Elementary, 69.3 percent met or exceeded expectations in ELA and 63.4 percent in math. Ivy’s numbers were 64.9 percent and 57.7 percent, respectively, in ELA and math.

 

 

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