Renton Students Improve On State Testing

Renton students achieved significant gains on state assessments, improving scores on 16 of the 19 state tests given annually to students in third through tenth grades. The data show improvements across all grades and nearly every subject tested, including gains that place district scores above state averages on seven of the tests.

Mathematics growth was a particular strength this year; Renton students improved mathematics scores every grade level. Some significant improvements include double-digit gains for grade levels at several schools —including a 44% increase in math scores and a 43% increase in science scores.

IMPROVEMENTS MEET DISTRICT GOALS, REDUCE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS

A major district achievement goal identified decreasing the number of students who failed to meet state standards by 10%. That goal was met with substantial increases in the number of students meeting standards in elementary mathematics, elementary and middle school science, and high school writing.

Similar district goals targeted decreasing the achievement gap between low-income and non-low income students, and the achievement gap between white and Asian students with Black and Hispanic students. Low income students met the established 10% goal with increases in elementary mathematics, writing and science; middle school writing and science; and high school reading and writing. Black and Hispanic

students met the goal in elementary mathematics, science and writing; middle school science; and high school writing. Elimination of these gaps in performance is a critical goal, and this year’s progress is encouraging news.

EVER BETTER AT LEARNING AND TEACHING

Educators in Renton know that some relatively recent efforts toward improved learning and teaching have led to these significant gains. One such effort was launched in 2008 when the district and the teachers’ union joined together to put in place “delayed start Fridays” where teachers worktogether for 1 1⁄2 hours at the start of most Fridays, collaboratively planning lessons, discussing student success and

needs, and deciding how to provide personalized classroom instruction for each individual student. Between 2009 and 2011, a robust instructional framework with meaningful initiatives to improve teaching and learning took shape

based on Renton’s newly developed Vision of Instruction (VoI), a set of exemplary instructional strategies adopted by the district to give teachers a common language and understanding of instruction based on best-practices research.

As part of the focus, teachers have continued to improve their skills through professional development. Data has been collected through classroom walkthroughs and gives feedback on strategy implementation.

The ongoing work by teachers and district support staff has produced noteworthy student success to date, and provides a strong foundation on which to build

*Editor's Note: Information for this report was provided by the Renton School District.