ARIZONA NEWS

Here’s how an Arizona school district improved student performance

Feb 17, 2023, 4:35 AM

(Facebook Photo/Buckeye Elementary School District)...

(Facebook Photo/Buckeye Elementary School District)

(Facebook Photo/Buckeye Elementary School District)

PHOENIX — After disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic caused many students to fall behind, one West Valley elementary school district is lauding its latest strategy that it says is seeing significant academic improvements among students.

“We knew that there was some heavy lifting to do,” Mike Lee, Buckeye Elementary School District assistant superintendent, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “Our schools were not where they needed to be.”

The district had several schools that were issued D’s and F’s by the state’s letter grade system, which takes into account test scores and other measures. In 2020, district leaders made a bold decision.

“That summer, the message was, ‘We’re going to take on the greatest challenges of our professional careers right now, and we’re going to do it within weeks,’” Lee said.

The district began participating in Project Momentum, a state-funded initiative that provides schools with an extra $150 per student. Much of the funding goes to cover additional time and work teachers spend to improve outcomes.

Ana Gutierrez, the district’s executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, explained teachers come together regularly to assess how students are performing. They work to answer key questions, including where students are academically.

“What are their next steps in learning, and then how do we get there?” Gutierrez said. “What instructional practices yield these types of results?”

“And then what do we do for those kids who need enrichment and extension opportunities and those that need extra support?”

School principals and district leaders also play a role by working together to define expectations for increasing student learning, monitoring progress and acting to hold each other accountable.

Gutierrez noted a big focus is on academics without losing sight of providing social and emotional support for students.

“Students really need to feel cared for by their teachers,” Gutierrez said.

These efforts are working. Last year, the Buckeye Elementary School District exceeded the state averages for growth in English and Math test scores.

“It wasn’t one school or two schools,” Gutierrez said. “All of our schools grew in this direction. They were all on this trend. That’s unheard of.”

That’s not all. The district saw its D and F schools move to A’s and B’s.

Lee pointed to Buckeye Elementary School as an example of a school in the district that improved. It had been grappling with performance issues for years and was labeled as an F school.

Lee was recently in a meeting where school staff found out they had become a B school.

“There were tears of relief and happiness and validation that this is working – it’s actually working,” Lee said, pointing to the district’s efforts under Project Momentum. “This feels great to know our kids are on the right track.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Solar panels...

Damon Allred

Gila River Indian Community to receive solar panels over canals

The Biden-Harris Administration will give $5.65 million to construct and install solar panels over the Casa Blanca Canal.

28 minutes ago

Artist rendering of the upcoming Taco Viva restaurant in Phoenix. (Aline Architecture)...

Brandon Brown/Phoenix Business Journal

Real estate investor to open drive-thru Taco Viva restaurant in Phoenix

Taco Viva, a new restaurant founded by the managing director of a Scottsdale real estate investment firm, is set to open in early 2024.

1 hour ago

(Facebook Photo)...

Associated Press

Pilot killed in small plane crash near Eloy Municipal Airport

A pilot has been killed in a small plane crash in a vacant lot near Eloy Municipal Airport, about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, police said.

12 hours ago

Firebird Motorsports Park....

KTAR.com

Chandler racing complex renamed Firebird Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has a new name -- Firebird Motorsports Park.

14 hours ago

Pamela Andrews...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 68-year-old woman located

The Mesa Police Department canceled a Silver Alert on Saturday after locating Pamela Andrew, the Arizona Department of Safety says.

14 hours ago

Silver Alert...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 81-year-old found dead

John Saler, an 81-year-old who went missing in Tonopah on Wednesday, was found deceased, authorities said Saturday.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @iamdamonallred...

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

(KTAR News Graphic)...

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

Here’s how an Arizona school district improved student performance