The Iowa School Report Card (SRC) is comprised of multiple measures which are combined to determine an overall performance rating. There are six overall categories for school ratings: Exceptional, High Performing, Commendable, Acceptable, Needs Improvement, and Priority. South Tama’s High School has a rating of Acceptable, with a score of 61.5%. The overall performance rating are based on the following sub-categories:

Proficiency, Closing the Achievement Gap, College and Career Readiness – Growth, Annual Expected Growth, College and Career Readiness, – Proficiency, Graduation Rate, Attendance, and Staff Retention.

South Tama High School performed above state average in the following areas; Closing the Achievement Gap – 1.4 percent above the state average, Graduation Rate was 3 percent above the state average, Staff retention 3 percent above state average.

In three areas of measurement the STC High School was within 2 percent of the state average: Proficiency, Closing the Achievement Gap, and Attendance.

Lastly, there are three areas that are measured on the School Report Card that show room for growth at STC High School: College and Career Readiness – Growth in reading and math, Annual Expected Growth and College and Career Readiness in Proficiency in reading and math. However, we did show growth from 2015 to 2016 in both College and Career Readiness and Growth, but still are behind the state average in growth.

These results from the School Report Card is closely related to our 2015-2016 ACT scores and the number of students enrolled in rigorous level courses in Math, Language Arts and Science. To address College and Career Readiness Growth measure, we will continue to encourage students to take college level course work at the High School through Marshalltown Community College in Composition, Math and Speech. Also students that score proficient on the annual Iowa Assessment Test have many opportunities to take college level course work called PSEO’s (Post-secondary Educational Opportunity).

For students who need extra help and time to learn math and reading skills, we have added supplementary classes in I-Ready, a computer-based instruction program in reading and math skills. In Special Education we have added Fusion Reading to improve our reading and writing skills. The High School has also implemented SOAR (study skills) course.

The High School focus is on increasing student engagement and academic growth. We have been using Kagan Strategies the past eight years, which are structured activities that allow students to work collaboratively in groups. We are currently using a school-wide planning model for lessons that benefit all students.

The High School has uses a positive rewards system, as well as, providing mental health services for our students. We believe we are establishing a positive culture by implementing the Josten’s Renaissance program and as we continue to implement researched based instructional practices, we will be on a positive track for student achievement and our students will continue to grow academically.