As we begin another school year, I would like to share the remarkable progress our district has made and address some common misconceptions about how we measure student achievement. The narrative around standardized test scores often lacks crucial context, and our community deserves a complete picture of what’s really happening in our schools.
First, it’s essential to understand that comparing today’s test scores with those from before 2015 is like comparing apples to oranges. The CMAS assessment that Colorado adopted that year represents a fundamental shift. CMAS is a rigorous college- and career-readiness test that measures far more than grade-level proficiency – it evaluates whether students are prepared for higher education and modern careers.
This rigor explains why even our state’s highest-performing districts struggle to reach 60% proficiency. A 2013 news release touted Colorado’s average reading score at 70% – a dramatically different landscape from today. This difference doesn’t indicate our students are performing worse; it reflects an entirely different test that measures different standards.
Given this reality, we must evaluate progress based on improvement trends over time and comparisons to similar districts. By these measures, our district is excelling. Over the last four years, CMAS math scores have increased nearly 10%, a gain almost unheard of in state testing. When comparing grades three to 11 across CMAS and PSAT/SAT, we rank ninth in the state among districts serving over 3,000 students – the only district outside the Front Range on this list.
Our success extends far beyond test scores. Teachers deliver exceptional instruction through a robust reading and math curriculum while engaging students in project-based, career-connected learning that develops 21st-century skills such as communication, creativity and critical thinking.
Evidence of excellence appears across multiple areas. Career and technical education pathways have expanded, with more students earning industry credentials. Concurrent enrollment and Advanced Placement participation continue to grow. Eighty-six percent of high school students graduate with college credit. Fewer students require intervention, and reading and math proficiency rates are climbing. Every cohort in every grade over the last four years has decreased the percentage of students below grade level.
We recently received national recognition for early reading work using the Orton-Gillingham approach, resulting in 39% more students achieving reading proficiency. Some of our schools now boast over 90% reading proficiency in kindergarten, regardless of barriers. This reflects years of dedicated work by educators to ensure every child can read.
Our accolades continue to mount. Durango High School ranks in the top tier statewide and nationally according to U.S. News and World Report. Big Picture High School serves as an international model among 250-plus Big Picture schools worldwide. The district was recently selected for the League of Innovative Schools, recognizing our commitment to preparing students for an evolving world.
Success extends beyond academics. The Teaching and Learning Conditions state survey shows some of the best scores in Colorado, with a district support rating of 90%, 10 points above the state average. Behavior incidents are declining, while student perception scores are rising. Parent survey results indicate improvement across all measured areas, including school climate and student learning.
Workplace culture reflects district health. Minimal staff turnover and over 60 substitute teacher applicants this year demonstrate the appeal of our supportive environment.
These achievements reflect the phenomenal work of students, teachers, staff members and leaders, supported by an engaged community. They show we’re not just teaching to tests – we’re preparing young people for success in life.
We don’t rest on our laurels. We continually improve, providing professional development for teachers, investigating evidence-based approaches and ensuring students have the tools they need for future careers. We optimize interventions, use instructional time wisely, maintain rigorous hiring standards and invite employees, students and families to submit ideas through our Kaizen form, focused on student improvement – more than 100 ideas have already been implemented.
Excellence also means comprehensive data analysis. We track individual school growth and student group performance using multiple data forms to ensure we get education right. We’ll share these practices at our Sept. 29 State of the District event (see https://tinyurl.com/mtf8f2kv).
Accountability remains paramount. The school board holds staff members to high standards, with Operational Expectations and Results reports at every meeting. Having worked in education nationwide, I can confidently say we maintain a level of expectation higher than any district I’ve seen.
I invite the community to see this success firsthand. Visit our schools, attend the Sept. 29 event (see https://tinyurl.com/mtf8f2kv) or get involved through the Durango Education Foundation. Strong community involvement – including School Advisory Committees, parent/guardian advisory councils, student advisory groups, the One-to-One reading mentor program and the Durango Education Foundation – creates a powerful support network. It truly takes a village to support our educators, students and families.
Having observed education systems across the country, I can say our educators and students are among the finest in the nation. They deserve support and celebration, not criticism based on incomplete understandings. Our students are thriving. Our educators are innovating. Our community should be proud of the exceptional education happening right here in Durango. Let’s continue building on this success together.
Dr. Karen Cheser is the superintendent of the Durango School District.
