Durango School District 9-R students showed notable progress in their standardized test scores during the 2023-24 school year, reflecting a positive trend in academic performance.
The Colorado Department of Education released preliminary school and district performance frameworks on Sept. 10, based on data from the 2023-24 academic year.
Schools across the state have shown improvements in accountability ratings, continuing a positive trend following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
According to CDE data, 82% of school districts earned an improvement or higher rating, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. The number of schools and districts on the accountability clock – a measure for struggling schools – also saw a decline.
In 2023, 22 districts and 224 schools were placed on the list, compared with 11 districts and 190 schools in 2024.
Colorado’s Education Accountability Act, passed in 2009, created a system that holds the state, school districts and individual schools accountable for student academic performance.
Factors such as student growth, achievement on state tests and graduation rates determine whether a district or school is placed on the accountability clock.
For Durango School District 9-R, workforce readiness and student achievement were standout areas. Superintendent Karen Cheser expressed pride in the district’s progress.
“While we have plenty to celebrate – including that our CMAS scores continue to rank in the top 20% in the state – we also know there’s still important work to be done,” she said. “We're committed to addressing these areas of growth to ensure every student gets the best opportunities for success.”
Workforce readiness remains a priority for Durango 9-R, with 14 career and technical education pathways and internships offered to upperclassmen. While experiential learning and career in technical education has been emphasized, questions remain about how those initiatives might impact standardized test performance.
On the Colorado Measures of Academic Standards testing, 54% of 9-R students met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts while 32% did so in math. 9-R surpassed the average performance of similarly sized districts across the state. Durango High School also achieved a 95% graduation rate in 2023, exceeding the state average of 85% to 90% for comparable schools.
District Executive Director of Curriculum Laurie Rossback said the students’ gradual improvement is a testament to teachers’ continued engagement in professional development and commitment to refining instruction.
The state’s performance frameworks combine data on academic growth, achievement and postsecondary readiness to provide a comprehensive assessment of a district’s effectiveness. Durango 9-R remains focused on two key goals: ensuring all students perform at or above grade level in core subjects and implementing the district’s portrait of a graduate initiative.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
