Scottsdale Unified reports strong test results overall, sets math-focused goals after pandemic-era learning shifts

Scottsdale Unified School District staff on Tuesday presented a comprehensive assessment-and-accountability report for the 2023–24 school year showing that district students outperformed county and state averages on multiple statewide tests, while also identifying areas for improvement — particularly in middle-school math growth.

Dr. Bauchner delivered the presentation and said Scottsdale students ranked first among comparison districts in elementary English Language Arts and were among the top performers in math at several grade levels. The district’s 3rd‑through‑8th graders took the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA); 9th graders took the ACT Aspire and 11th graders took the ACT. The district also reported results from the AZ Sci tests in grades 5, 8 and 11 and results of Advanced Placement exams.

Key findings presented

- English/ELA and math comparisons: Staff reported Scottsdale students ranked first in elementary ELA and ranked first in math for grades 3, 4, 5 and 7; the district placed in the top three among nine comparison districts in most grade levels shown by staff. District presenters said Scottsdale’s proficiency rates exceeded Maricopa County and Arizona averages across grade levels, with larger margins in math.

- Cohort and modality trends: Staff analyzed cohorts across years and reported some grade‑by‑grade increases and decreases (for example gains from 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th in ELA, decreases in some other cohorts). An analysis of students’ learning modality during the 2020–21 school year found that, with the exception of 4th‑grade English, students who attended in person in 2020–21 tended to outperform peers three years later; students enrolled in SUSD longer outperformed those who joined later.

- Growth measures: Growth distributions (low, average, high) varied by grade, with the smallest proportion in the ‘high’ category at 6th grade and the largest at 11th grade. In math, district leaders said every cohort saw some decline from one grade to the next — an outcome that staff linked to the district’s focused math goal for the coming year.

- AP and ACT results: Staff reported that Scottsdale students completed a large number of AP tests and that 49% of AP exams were scored as fours or fives in spring 2024; staff also showed a potential tuition‑savings example tied to AP credit (staff presented an estimated summerized figure of about $6,600,000 in potential tuition savings for students earning college credit via AP scores). For the ACT, composite and subject scores showed modest changes year to year; district staff noted English and reading were stronger relative to math and science for some cohorts.

District goals and next steps

Staff outlined district KPIs for the year, including: a 3% increase target in 3rd‑grade AASA ELA (goal to reach 63% passing); a series of cohort‑based math goals (each grade level with a 3% increase target); an ACT‑based 9th‑grade science goal (3% increase target); an 11th‑grade ACT composite score goal of 21.3 (a 0.5 increase); and a goal to increase the percentage of students earning a C or better in Algebra I by the end of 9th grade to 74% or higher.

Implementation actions described

District leaders said they are using IXL assessment tools across grade levels, integrating ACT practice data to assign targeted IXL practice, and offering teacher professional development. Staff reported that district leaders, MTSS academic and behavioral support teams, and site TILs are meeting regularly to monitor implementation and exchange successful practices. Leaders also said they will make classroom walkthroughs and site visits to monitor progress through December and beyond.

Board discussion

Board members thanked staff for the analysis and asked clarifying questions about sample test items, cohort trends and the influence of pandemic learning modality on current scores. One board member raised a design critique about a displayed chart but otherwise complimented student and teacher performance.

Speakers (attributed)

- Dr. Bauchner — District assessment presenter (title cited in the meeting as Doctor). - Julie Sadowski, Amy Carney — Governing Board members who offered thanks and comments during Q&A.

Proper names

Scottsdale Unified School District; AASA (Arizona Academic Standards Assessment); ACT Aspire; ACT; AZ Sci; IXL.

Clarifying details

- Sample items shown in the presentation demonstrated multi‑step items and constructed response demands across grades 3–8 in ELA and grade‑level items in math (staff stressed that many items require multiple steps and that some scored items do not allow partial credit). - Staff emphasized cohort comparisons mirrored statewide trends in several grades where decreases occurred. - The AP tests total presented in the meeting was described as “nearly 37,100” tests; staff framed that as the total AP tests completed in spring 2024 and presented an estimated potential tuition‑savings figure used for illustrative purposes (about $6.6 million). (Staff did not provide an external breakdown in the meeting presentation.)

Community relevance

Geographies: Scottsdale Unified School District. Impact groups: students across all grade levels, teachers, school leaders and families.

Searchable tags

assessment, accountability, math achievement, AP, ACT, IXL

Provenance

- topicintro: {"block_id":"s8161.71","local_start":0,"local_end":140,"evidence_excerpt":"Good evening, President Hartwells, Vice President Lindsay, governing board members, Doctor Menzel and Mrs. Wagner. It's my pleasure to be here tonight to provide you with an assessment and accountability update for the 2023 2024 school year." ,"reason_code":"topicintro"}

- topicfinish: {"block_id":"s9335.33","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"...During December, district leaders are also walk visiting campuses for classroom walkthroughs with site administration to watch all the amazing things going on in our classrooms and to offer in person support as well. And with that, I turn it over for questions." ,"reason_code":"topicfinish"}