LAPS News:

Today, the New Mexico Public Education Department released individual school grades. Here is information to keep in mind when reviewing the school grade reports.

First, the PED School Grades are primarily a measure of increases in state test scores. The school grades are not a reflection of overall student achievement or quality of teaching. 

Second, based upon PARCC test scores for the last two years, the Los Alamos Public Schools is the highest achieving district in the state. It is statistically very difficult for high-achieving schools to demonstrate year after year gowth in test scores.

Third, LAPS is a continuous improvement district and in order to identify opportunities for improving learning and well being for students and staff, we will be reviewing:

• All LAPS student assessment and data reports;
• Three-years of report card information and looking for trends; and
• Condsidering additional information such as the LAPS Climate Survey and Quality of Education Survey.

The PED Elementary and Middle School Grade includes:

• 40 points measuring current standing and whether students improved more or less than expected
• 10 points measuring whether the whole school improved more or less than expected
• 20 points measuring student growth of the highest performing students
• 20 points measuiring students growth of the lowest performing students
• 10 opportunioty to learn points measuring whether parents and students believe their school is a good place to learn
• 5 “bonus” points measuring extracurricular activities   

The PED High School Grade includes: 

• 30 points measuring current standing and whether students improved more or less than expected
• 10 points measuring whether the whole school improved more or less than expected
• 20 points measuring student growth of the highest performing students
• 10 points measuiring students growth of the lowest performing students
• 8 opportunity to learn points measuring whether parents and students believe their school is a good place to learn
• 17 points measure graduation rates
• 15 points measuring college and career readiness
• 5 “bonus” points measuring extracurricular activities