Phoenix Achievement Growth outpaces nation

A Delavan-Darien school continues to outpace the nation when it comes to student achievement growth during the school year in the key subjects of reading and math.

The learning by Phoenix Middle School students has accelerated faster than at least 9 out of every 10 students nationwide in both reading and math, data from 2016-17 national Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests shows.

The school’s 482 students have bettered more than 90 percent of the country in growth in all middle school grades and subject areas. This is tremendous news for a school that continues to show improvements.

“We aren’t as proficient as we’d like to be as far as overall achievement, but our students’ incredible growth in knowledge and abilities is quickly closing the achievement gaps,” Phoenix Middle School Principal Hank Schmelz said. “We are growing our reading and math skills at pace that’s much faster than most other schools grow throughout the course of a year.”

The national MAP tests were given in September and February, and Schmelz said he is pleased with the progress made by all students.

Principal Hank Schmelz

“We’re closing the achievement gaps at a rate that is faster than expected,” Schmelz said. “Usual goals are to see one year’s growth during one school year. We’re behind in achievement, so our goal is to get more than a year’s growth in a year’s time. We’ve done that. We’re catching up, and I’m proud of our students and staff for the work they have done. It’s quite an accomplishment.”

Schmelz said it shows the  tactics and methodologies Phoenix teachers bring to the classroom are working. The key, he says, has been a focus on reading and literacy in all grades and in all subjects.

“All of our Phoenix teachers are reading teachers. We do close reading exercises in physical education, health, art, everywhere,” Schmelz said. “We’re never going to catch up and get to where we need to be if we only had the English teachers doing that.”

Staff have bought into the idea of everyone being a reading teacher and it shows across all grade levels. Last year, MAP growth scores at Phoenix were in the 90th percentile or above in three of the six testing categories (6th, 7th and 8th grade reading and math). This year, all six areas were in the 90th percentile or above, with four categories at or above the 95th percentile.

Phoenix teachers use consistent instructional strategies across all grades and subjects. By doing so, students are able to better understand them and the concepts being taught because they are familiar with them, Schmelz said.

The next step is to bring the school’s achievement scores above national and state averages.

“We’re excited about our growth, no doubt, but we’re not done improving yet,” he said. “I expect we’ll continue to see strong student growth and soon enough, our achievement levels are going to get where we want them to be, which is at least to the national average, and hopefully beyond.”