State releases 'Focus' schools list

Four Walla Walla Public Schools on state “Focus” list – Lincoln High School earns ticket off list

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction released its list of Priority and Focus schools and Walla Walla Public Schools has four schools on the “Focus” list: Edison Elementary (English Language Learners - continuing); Garrison Middle School (English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities - continuing); Pioneer Middle School (English Language Learners – newly identified); and Sharpstein Elementary (Students with disabilities – newly identified).

Lincoln High School moved off the Focus list by improving graduation rates. Blue Ridge Elementary maintained its growth pattern and was not named as a Priority or Focus school for 2014. No Walla Walla Public Schools have been identified as “Priority” schools.

Priority and Focus designations are based on the school’s performance over the past three years in relation to the State Board of Education Achievement Index standards. The Achievement Index factors in student growth as well as student achievement in reading and math.

Priority and Focus Schools Definition Overview:

·         Priority: Schools across the state with the lowest five percent of Achievement Index Scores.

·         Focus: Focus schools are those showing the greatest improvement need for a specific sub group of students.

NOTE: In Walla Walla, these ‘Focus’ sub-groups are English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities

Walla Walla Public Schools Steps to Improvement:

·         Providing instructional planning support

·         Specific professional development targeted at accelerating student learning

·         Continuing to monitor student progress

“We are proud of the hard work our teachers and students do every day and are confident the schools identified as ‘Focus’ will make the necessary growth to move off of this list,” said Maria Garcia, WWPS Assessment Coordinator.