Arizona Students at Risk for Failing But Not in Vail Pima County Schools Poised to Become Model for Improving Test Scores

The Vail School District is well on its way to becoming a prototype for raising test scores, meeting No Child Left Behind requirements, and ultimately improving graduation rates.

Even in a year of improved statewide scores, the district's results speak for themselves. In 2002, only 38% of Vail high school students passed the math portion of Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards, or AIMS test; this year over 84% passed - compared to only 67% statewide. In reading, over 90% of the same Vail students passed, compared to only 71% statewide, and in writing, over 94% of Vail students passed, compared to only 71% statewide.

Passing AIMS will be a graduation requirement for students beginning with the Class of 2006, and now Vail students are better positioned than many other Arizona students to receive their diplomas. Improving AIMS scores is also a requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Three years ago, Vail was an improbable candidate for success as this community, south of Tucson, grappled with a sudden growth spurt. District enrollment jumped from 3,300 to over 7,200 students, and Vail administrators struggled to cope with a preponderance of less-experienced teachers, a strained infrastructure, and a transient student population from the nearby Air Force base. AIMS test scores suffered as a result, says Vail Assistant Superintendent Joe Sassone. "It was a wake-up call to help our teachers improve instructional quality."

With the help of WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency, those days of struggle are now in the past. WestEd Project Director Ruth McKenna credits Vail's newfound success to changing the way classroom teachers go about their daily work, a focus on what students should learn at each level, and a commitment to making sure every single child improves.

In 2003, McKenna helped Vail create a list of absolute essentials that all students need to learn. Next, they worked with Tucson-based Assessment Technologies, Inc. to devise a series of benchmark tests, administered three times before the end-of-year AIMS test, to see whether the students were learning the essentials. The benchmarks allow teachers enough advance warning to adjust lesson plans and bring every student up to passing.

"We are proud that our test results are off the charts, but the most important thing is students are getting an excellent, in-depth education," says Sassone. "For Vail students, the thirteen years spent in school will add up to something important - a high school diploma. That's their ticket to college and better employment."

In addition to improved test scores, this year Vail has two of its 11 schools on Arizona's "Excelling" list, and an additional two on the "Highly Performing" list. And to boot, last year Vail principals won a statewide competition for "Principal of the Year" in two categories, elementary and high school.

"No other district in Arizona matches Vail's phenomenal improvement rate," says McKenna. "Vail teachers have a proven blueprint for finding out if their lessons are working, and now they can turn on a dime if they discover a problem. Vail's method works in all types of schools, including those in inner cities as well as in locations with high numbers of English language learners."

More information on Vail School District can be found at www.vail.k12.az.us. Complete test results and Vail School District rankings available on the Arizona Department of Education's Web site, www.ade.state.az.us. Information on McKenna's approach to school improvement is at www.WestEd.org/lapds.

Vail's Secrets for Success
* District & school curriculum staff create list of essential standards for all subjects & grade levels
* Teachers agree on what counts as "passing" for all subjects & grade levels
* District & school leaders devise a benchmark testing system to provide ongoing feedback on individual student progress
* Teachers adjust daily lesson plans based on feedback, ensuring that all students are prepared to pass end-of-year AIMS test

About WestEd:
WestEd, a national nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to California. WestEd has offices in both Phoenix and Tucson. Its corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd.org.

Additional Media Contacts:
Vail School District Superintendent's Office (Vail, AZ)
Joe Sassone, 520.762.2010

WestEd Local Accountability Professional Development Series (Seattle, WA)
Ruth McKenna, 360.378.6172

Assessment Technology, Inc. (Tucson, AZ)
Heidi Kirkland, 520.323.9033 ext. 125

WestEd Chief Policy and Communications Officer (Tucson, AZ)
Max McConkey, 520.888.2838

WestEd Policy Policy Program Director (Phoenix, AZ)
Paul Koehler, 602.322.7004

Arizona Students at Risk for Failing But Not in Vail Pima County Schools Poised to Become Model for Improving Test Scores

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Arizona Students at Risk for Failing But Not in Vail Pima County Schools Poised to Become Model for Improving Test Scores

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