Welcome to the APS Superintendent Newsletter. This online publication provides insights for the APS Community as we work together to achieve our vision:
Every student shapes a successful future.

December 14, 2015
Aurora Public Schools Community:

As we enter the winter holiday season and the end of the first semester of instruction, I would like to share some important information and recognize the work of our professionals who strive to accelerate learning for every APS student, every day.
CMAS/PARCC Scores Are Coming Out. What Do They Mean?
The Colorado Department of Education is releasing results for the 2015 Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) English language arts and math tests. Our parents, staff and community members may be wondering what these scores mean for students.
 
The new tests, also known as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), are aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards, which are more rigorous than previous standards measured by the former TCAP tests. The statewide results show that a lower percentage of students are meeting grade-level expectations. It is clear from the statewide results that the bar has been set much higher.
 
Because the new tests use a computer-only format with a different scoring system and focus more on 21st century skills, it will take time for us to adjust to the learning curve. You may learn more about the new CMAS/PARCC testing format and scoring system on our fact sheet.
                                                                                      
We recognize that these tests do not always reflect the hard work of our students, teachers and schools. The scores do not mean that our students are learning less. They simply provide a snapshot of how our students are progressing towards meeting grade-level expectations.

However, we must acknowledge that the scores are unacceptable and counter to our vision that every student shapes a successful future. We know that the scores do not represent what our students are capable of, and we must take responsibility for accelerating learning and eliminating achievement gaps for all of our students. We can and must do a better job.
 
As a result, we are thinking differently about our work. As part of our strategic plan APS 2020: Shaping the Future, we have many innovative initiatives and programs currently underway to support our students. To learn more about our vision, mission and goals for every student, visit aps2020.aurorak12.org. To review many of our current initiatives and programs, visit Education Reform in APS at aps2020.aurorak12.org/reform/. 
Every Student Shapes a Successful Future
To ensure that every APS student is shaping a successful future, we strive to improve student achievement and growth with highly-effective and respected staff members working as a team. Some of our staff recently earned recognition for their dedication to students and the Aurora community.
Lansing Teacher Earns Colorado Teacher of the Year Award
Congratulations to Jodi Venzara, Lansing Elementary Community School third-grade teacher and English language acquisition teacher leader, for being named Colorado Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
 
Venzara earned CoTESOL's Virginia French Allen Award, which recognizes her as top in the state for demonstrating excellence in ELA classroom instruction and creativity in the development of materials and programs.
APS Earns Distinction for Financial Excellence
The Aurora Public Schools Accounting Department and Division of Finance have done it again! Congratulations to the team for earning their 31st consecutive Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award!
 
This award recognizes our commitment to transparency and as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
 
Seventy-eight cents of every dollar from the APS general operating budget goes toward instructional programs and school building operations to ensure we are accelerating learning for every APS student, every day.
Thank you for your support!
Rico Munn
Superintendent

Aurora Public Schools  | 303-344-8060  | E-mail | aurorak12.org


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