The Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education released ESSA scores for all districts, the first time since 2019. ESSA School Performance Reports provide an index score and letter grade to Arkansas public schools. The index score and letter grade may seem simple, but both are based on a 202-page document outlining the entire accountability system.
Schools are assigned an Overall Index Score determined from weighted achievement, school value-added growth, and the School Quality Success Score (SQSS). The levels of assigned scores are based on grade configuration.
The weighted achievement scores are based on student performance for the tested year (in this case, 2021-22 school year). Growth scores are based on a comparison of student growth from the previous school year. The SQSS measures many factors, including absentee rate. Schools are assigned a letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) to correlate with the Overall Index Score.
Bryant Public Schools have received the following letter grades:
Springhill Elementary School: A
Bethel Middle School: A
Bryant Elementary School: B
Collegeville Elementary School: B
Hurricane Creek Elementary School: B
Parkway Elementary School: B
Salem Elementary School: B
Bryant Middle School: B
Bryant Junior High: B
Davis Elementary School: C
Hill Farm Elementary School: C
Bryant High School: C
The ADE reports are available here. If you would like to see comparisons with other school districts, visit the My School Info website at https://myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov.
For school specific information please look at the linked documents: BPS ESSA Scores Summary and BPS ESSA Scores SQSS.
Given the challenges over the past two years, Bryant Public Schools is pleased with the letter grades our schools received. Through most of last school year, we dealt with quarantines, extremely high numbers of positive Covid cases, and excessive absences. It was not until February 2022 that the state lifted the requirement to quarantine students exposed to a positive case. We are still dealing with these repercussions, including students not being in school.
While we recognize there is room for improvement, we are very proud of our staff and their valiant efforts to educate our students. We are moving forward and will do whatever it takes to make up the learning loss over the past two years. Our schools are implementing robust Response to Intervention (RTI) programs during the school day to assist students who are not at grade level. Tutoring programs are targeting specific skills and learning deficits. The entire district is committed to our ongoing implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with fidelity that makes student learning top priority.
We appreciate the support from our parents during these challenges. Please know we want to continue partnering with you and your students in addressing learning gaps. If you have concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher or administrator.
We know our schools are more than a letter grade. We work hard to meet students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, laying the foundation for every student to succeed. Our commitment to students, families, and community remains firm as we continue creating opportunities for success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Walters, Superintendent