Last Wednesday, the Nebraska Department of Education released the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) results and the Accountability for a Quality Education System (AQuESTT) classifications. Both reports provide insight into how students perform academically on Nebraska’s rigorous college and career readiness state assessments for the 2021-2022 school year. The results show while Wakefield student performance dipped coming out of the pandemic, the district didn’t have as large of a setback as others in the state, and, as a district, we measure closely to state and peer scores.
Our accountability results illustrate that only some students perform at their highest level. Our role is to give all students the resources they need to succeed and move them toward excellence. We are committed to analyzing these results and making improvements for all students' benefit.
NSCAS English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science are rigorous assessments with high expectations for postsecondary readiness. NSCAS ELA and Mathematics are given in grades three through eight. NSCAS science assessments are given in fifth and eighth grades, and Nebraska juniors take the ACT assessment.
The following are among the key findings from this year’s NSCAS:
42% of Wakefield students across all grade levels (3-8) were considered proficient in English Language Arts (performing at the On Track or Advanced level), and 36% were proficient in Math.
More than 74% of Wakefield students (grades 5 and 8) were proficient on the NSCAS Science assessment, a new assessment this year that measures against the state’s rigorous science standards.
As juniors at the high school level, the Wakefield Class of 2023 were 53% proficient in ELA, 63% in Math, and 69% in Science on the ACT test.
Overall proficiency on the ACT improved by over 23% from the previous year.
100% of our students take the state assessments.
Wakefield must focus on historically marginalized student groups that were particularly impacted. Achievement gaps that were present before disruptions in teaching and learning widened after the pandemic. English learners saw the greatest declines in assessment results.
In addition to assessment results, Nebraska released accountability ratings. State and federal law require the NDE to annually classify and designate schools to provide signals for specific supports. Nebraska’s system, AQuESTT - helps ensure all students across all backgrounds and circumstances have access to opportunities and success. AQuESTT annually classifies schools and districts as Excellent, Great, Good, and Needs Support to Improve.
Wakefield Elementary received a classification of Good for the 2021-2022 School year.
Wakefield High School was classified as Excellent for the 2021-2022 School year.
Overall, Wakefield Community School District was classified as Good for the 2021-2022 School year.
The proficiency percentages on state assessments primarily determine AQuESTT classifications. Other factors considered are graduation rates, growth in assessment performance, absenteeism rates, and success of minority student groups. For more information on Wakefield Community Schools AQuESTT classification, go to:
https://nep.education.ne.gov//snapshot.html#90-0560-000/aquestt
As a school district, we are dedicated to improvement. The accountability scores and AQuESTT classifications differ from where we want them to be. Every element of our district, including our expectations for students and how we understand if students are meeting those expectations, and how we are working with and supporting teachers and leaders, work toward ensuring all students are prepared for success. Accountability is one element of that system. Accountability systems are intended to help us focus on what matters most, better understand what is working well, and determine where we need to make improvements to help all students succeed. Nebraska’s accountability system sets goals for achievement and growth for all schools. The system reveals gaps in achievement so that we may work toward equity for all students in the district. Just as state standards and assessments set expectations for what students should know and be able to do, state accountability systems set expectations for school performance. We have high expectations for our students, and Wakefield Community Schools is dedicated to achieving excellence for all our students in every element of our school system.
Matt Farup
Superintendent
Wakefield Community Schools