IT= Inspired Teaching School

Anonymous wrote:This is good news but with a low FARMS rate the numbers still look low. Rumor is that the CAS was easier this year so teachers could get their bonuses.

The FARMS rate varies by grade and my understanding is that the total for the school is lower than the tested grade. Further, IT is only in its second year, so the tested grade still only had (at most) slightly more than a year and a half of instruction at IT but would have had as many as four years of instruction at their previous schools. The absolute scores are clearly not where parents want them to be long term but they are really good in th e circumstances and the growth from last year is especially encouraging. That is exactly what we want to see new schools doing.

Been away from the forum for a while. Which school is "IT"? Thanks.

This is good news but with a low FARMS rate the numbers still look low. Rumor is that the CAS was easier this year so teachers could get their bonuses.

Way to go IT! I'm not an IT parent, but I am thrilled when any public school shows growth and success, so this is awesome news!

Congratulations IT. I'm not an IT parent, but I like the philosophy and I like any proof that a school that focuses on creative and engaging learning can check the box on these tests without focusing overly on them. Keep it up!

Fairly impressive results here. My understanding is that this reflects the school's upper grades. Very encouraging.

Anonymous wrote:why are they un-tiered?

Because this is their first year with data. They don't count 1st year data in tiers. The other charters did the same. They will be tiered come summer 2014.

why are they un-tiered?

I'm not an IT parent (but I am at a newer charter).

The reality check for all of the charters is that many of the kids who enter at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades are coming from schools that didn't serve them well -- that's part of why their parents sought other options. So, you really have to give the school a few years of testing cyles to get a more representative view. That is, give those who were previously underserved a couple years of good teaching, and then also give the folks who entered the school at PS/PK/K a chance to be tested.

That said, many congrats to IT for making such outstanding progress! DCPS and Charters may not all be testing at 95-100% as we over-achieving DCUrbanmoms would like (lol), but there's definitely reason to be pleased with forward movement and improvement!

Anonymous wrote:Well, did they start to teach math this yr? It's great that their math scores went from 23% to 65% at grade level but it makes you wonder. CAS isn't a difficult test.

Does it matter what their 1st year in existence scores were? They are 65% now, higher than Haynes and Cap City and on par with 2R. No need to be a downer.

Well, did they start to teach math this yr? It's great that their math scores went from 23% to 65% at grade level but it makes you wonder. CAS isn't a difficult test.

Anonymous wrote:what kind of unconvential stuff did they do?

Nothing too unconventional, they just didn't focus hard core on testing, military style like you imagine it's done. I haven't been to any other school so I am not putting down any method. IT teaaches in an inspirational way and they don't heavily rely on worksheets or drilling.

what kind of unconvential stuff did they do?

Big kudos to the everyone at IT that played a role in the great CAS testing, especially the teachers and the students!! I really enjoyed seeing the students prepare for testing in an inspiring (although unconvetional way), and I admit I was somewhat skepitcal to see how it would translate into scores. To be the #1 school in the city (as far as growth %) is a great feat! To be in the likes of all the top charters (and even ahead of some) in only 2 years is fantastic!

Keep it up!