Ark City Public Schools earn 37 Standards of Excellence Awards

Arkansas City, Kan. – USD 470 students earned more awards after the 2009 State Assessments than ever before. The district earned 37 Standards of Excellence awards topping last year’s total of 32.

Standards of Excellence, The Kansas State Department of Education’s highest honor, is based on the percentage of students who score proficient or above on the state assessments in math and reading. That percentage varies by grade level and subject. That percentage also increases each year, making it harder to obtain the awards.

“We are delighted to see these results and are proud of the successful efforts made by our staff, the students, and their families,” Dr. Jan Voss, Assoc. Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, said. “These results line up with our continued improvement since No Child Left Behind began.”

In 2005, the district earned 10 Standards and that number has continued to rise to the 37 earned in 2009. Voss said that is only one of many indicators of student success apparent in the district. There has been an overall increase in the graduation rate over several years. In 2002, the graduation rate was 75.4 percent, while in 2009 it was 91.1 percent. ACT exam scores, though fluctuating, are also higher than in the past. In 2002, the average ACT composite score was 18.8 and it was 20.9 after the 2009 test.

“We have also noted fewer disciplinary referrals, a decrease in special education referrals, and an increase in the number of students going on to post-secondary programs,” Voss said. “All of these indicators point to overall student achievement and that is something we can all be proud of.”