Iowa Department of Education releases new school performance results

On December 18, 2018, the Iowa Department of Education released new online reports showing how public schools performed in a new accountability system that meets the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a federal education law that replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.

The new reports, called the Iowa School Performance Profiles, include each school’s scores on a set of accountability measures. The reports display scores based on a school’s overall performance, as well as the performance of subgroups of students, such as children from low-income backgrounds. The scores reflect how public schools performed on a set of core accountability measures, such as results on the statewide assessment. The tool displays a school’s score based on overall performance, as well as scores based on the performance of subgroups of students. These subgroups include students who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, students receiving special education services, English learners, and students from racial/ethnic minority groups.

Schools across the District scored at or above average on a number of key indicators. Some of those include graduation rate, average school achievement in reading and math, percent proficient in math and reading, as well as growth in reading and math. All five elementary schools, along with Northwood Preschool, were identified as having “Met” Comprehensive status. Ames High and Ames Middle School were identified as Targeted, meaning that index scores for specific subgroups in those schools fell within the bottom 5% of schools. Special education was identified at both schools, and English Learners was also identified at Ames Middle School.

To access the Iowa School Performance Profiles, visit www.iaschoolperformance.gov.

For more information on the Every Student Succeeds Act in Iowa, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

NOTE: The Iowa School Performance Profiles are different from the Iowa School Report Card, developed in 2015 to meet a state legislative requirement. In 2019, the Iowa Department of Education will work to update data in the Iowa School Report Card and then merge the site with the Iowa School Performance Profiles. The goal is to ensure the state has one report card that meets both state and federal requirements.