Jeffco Schools‘ Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) achievement results remained ahead of the state average for the 2017-2018 school year. The district’s performance reflected trends seen across the state, though Jeffco Schools students continue to score above the state average at every grade level.
Colorado’s third through eighth graders have been taking the CMAS exams each year since spring 2015 when the CMAS exam replaced the TCAP. Ninth and tenth graders take the PSAT and eleventh graders take the SAT, the college entrance exam, along with the CMAS science assessment.
Jeffco is making progress
Jeffco students taking seventh grade math gained ground on the CMAS, with a 5.9 percent gain over 2017 in students who meet or exceed the standard. Eighth grade math students saw similar gains in math with a 3.8 percent gain in students meeting or exceeding the standard.
In addition, 78.7 percent of students taking above-grade level math, such as those taking Algebra I, met or exceeded expectations this year. That number includes 7th and 8th graders who take and are tested on algebra or geometry rather than seventh or eighth grade math.
“It’s clear we have made progress, and we make a point to celebrate those successes,” said Matt Flores, chief academic officer in a Jeffco Schools press release. “We also track the strategies that are making an impact so we can support this work in other areas of our district.”
Similar trends are seen on the English Language Arts CMAS. Scores slightly increased in four of the six grades tested and slightly decreased by a percent or less in the other two. Jeffco seventh graders posted the largest gain with a 2.5 percent gain of students meeting or exceeding the standard over 2017. The percentage of Jeffco students in their junior year of high school who met or exceeded the state’s science standards improved by .8 percent.
“Jeffco Public Schools continues its tradition of excellence, as expected,” said Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass. “However, our work in transforming the classroom experience for all students will give us more opportunities to make learning engaging, and I’m confident that our CMAS, PSAT, and SAT results will track that positive impact as we move forward.”
Neighboring school districts saw similar trends in their CMAS scores. Full results of the 2018 CMAS scores and those of previous years can be accessed through the Colorado Department of Education website.
