Archdiocesan schools earn high marks in accountability formula

By John Shaughnessy

Nearly 96 percent of archdiocesan schools earned the status of “exemplary progress” or “commendable progress,” according to an Indiana state formula that holds schools accountable for improving student achievement from one year to the next.

The “exemplary progress” recognition—the highest level listed by the state—was achieved by 56 of the 67 archdiocesan schools that are measured under guidelines of Public Law 221, Indiana’s comprehensive accountability plan for schools.

Eight other archdiocesan schools received the rating of “commendable progress”—the second highest rating given.

“We’re very pleased with the results,” said Ron Costello, superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.

According to Costello, the state’s accountability law places Indiana schools into one of five categories based upon “performance” and “improvement” data from the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+).

“This is the first time the state has looked at the results in the terms of the progress made over a school year,” Costello said. “The most important thing for us to see is that individual students are improving against themselves in our schools.”

The results were based on students’ ISTEP+ scores in English and math from the fall of 2004 to the fall of 2005.

While 126 Indiana schools were listed in the “academic probation” category—the lowest rating given—the archdiocese didn’t have any schools in that category.

One archdiocesan school was listed in the third level of rankings—“academic progress”—while two archdiocesan schools were placed in the fourth level of rankings, “academic watch.”

Costello said the results are one more measure of the quality of Catholic education.

“In regard to our students mastering the state academic standards, we’re doing a very good job,” he said. “Our teachers have worked hard to help our students.”

(For more information on Public Law 221, including data for individual schools, visit the Web site at www.doe.state.in.us/pl221. Anyone with questions about Public Law 221 can call Ron Costello at 317-236-1486 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1486.) †