ANNU A L REPO R T FO R OU R COMMUNITY September 2009 OUR MISSI O N The mission of Edina Public Schools, working in partnership with the family and the community, is to educate all individuals to be responsible, lifelong learners who possess the skills, knowledge, creativity, sense of self-worth, and ethical values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, culturally diverse, global society SUPE R INTENDENT ’S PE rs PE C TIVE Annual Report for our Community In these pages, you will find amazing stories of success. For more than 150 years and by every traditional achievement measurement, Edina Public Schools has defined excellence. We set a bar that few schools in the state, or even in the nation, can reach. From standardized reading, math and Advanced Placement scores to educational program options, from athletics to fine arts, from innovative solutions to fiscal management, Edina Public Schools manages to define excellence in all areas of education. Ric Dressen, Ed.D. A more interesting, complex and evolving picture is also emerging in Superintendent our District — the story of 21st century learning. Our new strategic vision and direction is taking shape. The transformation can already be seen in: • The brick school becoming more fluid and transparent. Students are going out into the world to learn, and the community is coming into the schools. • The move from a factory-approach to a student-centered approach to education, one that is more personalized and responsive. • The sophisticated use of technology. Students and teachers are using technology to communicate, apply and access knowledge in ways that promote deeper understanding. • The commitment to ensuring our students will be responsible citizens and leaders. We have implemented interdisciplinary themes that are important to the 21st century students’ learning, including global awareness and financial and civic literacy. A strong partnership between teachers, students, parents, administrators and the community has allowed Edina Public Schools to advance this far. Going forward, this extensive community support is going to be even more crucial as we seek to provide more personalized learning opportunities to prepare students for the world they are entering. We need a village of community members to help engage students with real world data, tools and people. We all have crucial roles to play, and I invite everyone to be a part of the journey. OU R sc HOOL S A ND OU R C OMMUNITY : C ONTEXT FO R OU R WO R K Our Community The 2008-2009 school year at a glance Family Circle magazine (August 2009) ranked Edina one of its top • Enrollment in Edina Public Schools has been growing by 10 towns in the nation for raising a approximately 2% per year for the past several years. family. Edina Public Schools helped Projections suggest an enrollment increase between 0.26% and secure that honor, earning the high- 1.18% per year over the next five years. est school ranking —10 out of 10— of any of the towns recognized. • 1,153 students (15%) attended Edina schools through state- mandated open-enrollment policies (52 fewer students than last year). They brought approximately $7.3 million in state funding Quick Stats to the District. • Edina has a population of 47,425. The population is • 1,296 Edina residents chose to attend other schools (141 fewer projected to increase by 9% than last year). Of these, 1,115 attended private schools, 126 over the next 25 years. attended other public schools, 21 attended WMEP schools, 18 • Nearly 21% of residents are were home schooled, and 16 attended charter schools. The over age 65. District received no student funding for these students. • 24% of Edina’s residents are • 15% of Edina Public Schools students report minority status. under age 18. • Edina’s English Language Learner program serves the 2.5% of • Edina’s median household income is $76,805. students who qualify as limited English proficient. • In 2008, Edina was the only city • Edina students speak 41 different languages other than English in Hennepin County to post an at home, with Somali and Spanish as the most common. increase in home sales over • 6.4% of students qualify for Free and Reduced Price Lunch. 2007. • 9.4% of students receive personalized support from Edina’s • 9% of residents report Special Education Services. minority status and 10% of • Approximately 11% of students receive personalized support residents speak languages other than English at home. from Edina’s Gifted and Talented program. Sources: “2005-07 American Community Survey” and “Edina Comprehensive Plan Update 2008” K-12 enrollment by building Concord Elementary 719 Cornelia Elementary 556 Countryside Elementary 544 Creek Valley Elementary 582 Highlands Elementary 544 Normandale Elementary 631 South View Middle School 1,204 Valley View Middle School 1,280 Edina High School 1,819 TOTAL 7,879 STUDENT ac HIEVEMENT In spring 2009, Edina educators administered nearly 16,000 standardized tests. More than 11,000 of these tests were required by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act. An additional 600 writing assessments were required by the State of Minnesota. The results of these assessments are used mainly for public accountability, although educators also analyze results to help inform curriculum revisions. An additional 4,000 tests were initiated by Edina Public Schools to help parents and educators track individual student growth, determine student placement, shape curriculum revisions and gauge Edina student achievement nationally. Standardized testing findings: Edina ranks number one in Minnesota —consistently In reading, Edina has ranked as the number one district in Minnesota for five consecutive years. In mathematics, Edina has garnered the number one ranking for the past three years and is the only district in the state to consistently rank in the top three over the past five years. Top five Minnesota districts in reading State 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Rank 1 Edina Edina Edina Edina Edina 2 Stephen-Argyle Wayzata Wayzata Minnetonka Minnetonka Orono Chokio- Minnetonka Wayzata Wayzata 3 Alberta 4 Minnetonka Eden Prairie Orono Orono Westonka Barnesville Minnetonka Delano Westonka St. Croix Prep 5 Top five Minnesota districts in mathematics State Rank 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 1 Westonka Wayzata Edina Edina Edina 2 Alden Delano Wayzata Wayzata Wayzata 3 Edina Edina Chokio-Alberta Delano Delano 4 Wayzata Orono Minnetonka Minnetonka Westonka Delano Chokio-Alberta Westonka Waconia Minnetonka 5 Method: Rankings are determined by combining MCA-II results across all grades tested and examining the percentage of students proficient or above. What tests does the The details: 2008-09 MCA-II results District administer? Edina students perform well above their Minnesota peers. In reading and Minnesota Comprehensive math, all seven grades tested performed 20-33% above the Minnesota state Assessments II (MCA-II) average. The separation is more drastic in the upper grades, illustrating that All public school students in Minnesota are tested in reading as Edina students build cumulative skills, they widen the gap relative to the and mathematics in grades three state average. through eight and in grade 10 (reading) and grade 11 While the Edina results continue to indicate that some subgroups do not (mathematics). A science succeed as well as others, it is notable that all racial/ethnic/socio-economic assessment is administered in groups have improved performance over time. Black and Hispanic students, grades five and eight and when as well as students eligible for free or reduced price meals, showed students complete high school biology. Results are used prin- especially positive growth. cipally for school accountability, Percentage of students proficient or above but also to shape curriculum revision. on 2008-2009 MCA-II reading 100 .4 0 .3 4.0 9 .0 1 .0 .8 9 9.6 0 9 9 8 90 8 9 8 8 Measures of Academic 5 2 .3 . 2 6 . 8 4 . 4 80 7 7 2 2 7 Progress (MAP) 7 7 .8 .8 6 4 6 Edina Public Schools administer 70 6 MAP tests to students in grades 60 two through seven to help 50 parents and educators track Percent 40 Edina individual student growth, Percent 30 determine student placement and Minnesota 20 improve curriculum and 10 instruction. Results also help compare the achievement of 0 34567810 Edina students to other students GradeGrade in the nation. Percentage of students proficient or above on 2008-2009 MCA-II math Cognitive Abilities Tests (CogAT) measure individual student developmental cognitive .0 9 100 .3 . 92 6 .9 93 . 3 88 abilities. Data is used to identify 84 . 85 90 82 .1 2 .9 .4 student learning styles, strengths 8 4 80 7 74 4 and areas for improvement. .8 5 3 .6 6 6 2 .7 70 6 9 These tests are administered in 5 grades two and four and used for 60 .6 1 instructional program planning. 50 4 Percent 40 Percent GRAD Writing Assessment 30 Minnesota administers this 20 assessment in grade nine. 10 Students must pass this test (as well as a test in reading) to 0 34567811 receive a diploma from a GradeGrade Minnesota public high school. A similar mathematics test Note: Students who “Meet” or “Exceed” standards are deemed “Proficient” requirement is being phased in. and are performing at grade level or above. MCA-II Science Assessment On the state’s rigorous science assessment, Edina students showed strong growth. The number of Edina students scoring in the proficient range is about one and a half times greater than the state average. Spring 2009 MCA-II Science Assessment Percentage of Edina Students Proficient or Better 100 90 80 68.1 64.0 70 63.3 60 49.5 45.0 50 42.6 Percent 40 Percent 30 20 Edina 10 Minnesota 0 5 8 HS GradeGrade GRAD Writing Assessment In the three years this test has been administered, the percentage of Edina students passing has increased by a full percentage point, while the percentage of students who pass statewide has dropped by 1.2%.