PARCC is the new Common Core-aligned state assessment, designed to be far more challenging than D.C.’s previous assessment (the DC CAS), and aligned to our mission of preparing students for college and career.
The PARCC scoring structure includes 5 ratings for students — from the lowest rating of a 1 (“did not yet meet expectations”) to the highest rating of a 5 (“exceeds expectations.”) This test and these scores are a recalibration for us and for all of D.C.
As expected, there are bright spots in our results, as well as areas for improvement. Here are some of the highlights:
- Lead Academy third grade students achieved the highest percentage of 4+ math scores of any public charter school in the city and the fourth highest scores in the state.
- Promise Academy third grade students boasted the second highest percentage of 4+ math scores of any public charter school and the fifth highest scores in the state.
- Fourth grade students at Heights and Promise Academy outperformed the state average in math, and Promise also outperformed the state average in English.
- Eighth grade students at AIM, KEY, and WILL Academy outperformed the state average in math.
- Eighth grade students at KEY and WILL Academy also outperformed the state average in English.
- Tenth grade students at KIPP DC College Preparatory outperformed the state average in math.
Additionally, we are encouraged by the percentages of our students scoring 3+ on the PARCC exam and are confident that these students will continue to make the gains needed to be college-ready by the time they leave us.
Students Scoring 3+ on the 2015 PARCC Exam – Math
Students Scoring 3+ on the 2015 PARCC Exam – English
PARCC has started an important dialogue in D.C. about college and career readiness, and it is now one of the many benchmarks that we will use on the road to college. We also look carefully at ACT scores, AP scores, college credits earned through our dual enrollment program, attendance, and other factors when we assess college-readiness. We are proud to share that 80 percent of KIPP DC’s alumni who graduated from high school are now enrolled in college and 75 percent of our alumni are persisting in college or have already earned college degrees. While we know that we can continue to raise those numbers, we feel strongly that our schools are providing a college preparatory curriculum and supporting our students as they develop the skills and mindset needed for success in college and beyond.
To learn more about PARCC or to view individual school scores, click here.
