Elko County reports modest gains in state star ratings, test scores and attendance

Superintendent Anderson summarized updated accountability data Oct. 21, saying the district saw modest gains in graduation rates, reductions in chronic absenteeism and incremental increases in statewide summative test proficiency.

Anderson said graduation rates rose from 80.43% (two years prior) to 82.9%, and chronic absenteeism decreased from 34.3% to 31.5% over the same period. He said teacher average daily attendance — according to state-provided figures presented to the board — increased from 88.5% to 99.7%.

State summative assessments showed increases in English language arts proficiency across the three grade bands reported by the district: elementary ELA 35% to 36.6%, middle school 29.1% to 29.3%, and high school 37.8% to 40.8%. Math proficiency rose as well: elementary 31.5% to 34.1%, middle school 19.4% to 20.6% and high school 12.2% to 15.6%.

The district also reported changes in state star ratings. Anderson noted the following school-level changes reported to the board: Jackpot Elementary 1→2 stars; Elko Grammar No. 2 2→3; Carlin Elementary 1→2; West Wendover Elementary 1→2; Mountain View 2→4; Carlin Junior High 1→2; Jackpot Junior High 2→5. Wells High School remained a four-star school.

“The data and the metrics say and share, and I want to acknowledge those great improvements,” Anderson said, while adding that “our students and our staff are more than a score or a number of stars.”

The district presentation compared indicators under its four-day instructional model with a five-day model and included achievement, finances and employment measures. The superintendent said the new data came after the state completed its star ratings. The presentation did not include detailed breakout tables in the recap; additional documentation and the state’s published reports would contain the underlying metrics.