A recent letter to the editor asked if Durango School District is “celebrating lower expectations” (Herald, Sept. 3). The opposite is true. Our students and educators earned some of the highest results in Colorado on this year’s Colorado Measures of Academic Success exams – ranking 11th out of all districts with 1,500 or more students tested. Durango is the only rural district in the top 11 and the only one serving a high percentage of students from low-income families, multilingual learners and students with disabilities. When CMAS and Preliminary SAT/SAT scores are combined, we are ranked 9th overall.
It’s important to understand what CMAS measures. Even the state’s top-ranked district – one of the most affluent – shows about 60% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. That doesn’t mean the other 40% are “failing.” It reflects Colorado’s rigorous standards and a testing system that changed in 2015. “Meeting expectations” means students are on track for college or career readiness, not just grade-level work.
Durango families should be proud that our students are performing at levels on par with Colorado’s most resourced districts, despite the challenges of geography, funding, and higher-than-average student need. That’s not lowering expectations – it’s proof that hard work, strong teaching and community support are paying off.
We believe in transparency, not spin. Readers can see our CMAS FAQ at https://shorturl.at/Pv5i5 or ask questions at info@durangoschools.org. We are always striving to improve, and that work is strongest when our community stands with us.
Karla Sluis
Durango
Editors note: Karla Sluis is Durango School District’s Public Information Officer
