Wayzata School District Presents 2023-24 Progress Report: Academic Achievement, College Readiness, and Graduation Success Amidst Ongoing Equity Efforts

The October 28th presentation to the Wayzata School Board provided an in-depth look at the district’s progress towards its World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) goals for the 2023-24 academic year. Dana Miller, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, along with Stacey Lackner, Director of Research & Evaluation, led the discussion. Their presentation, titled “Proficiency, College & Career, and Graduation,” focused on student performance across multiple measures, including academic proficiency, college and career readiness, and high school graduation rates. The report emphasized both district achievements and ongoing challenges, particularly regarding educational equity and achievement gaps among various student groups.

Goals and Purpose of the Report

The WBWF report serves as a critical accountability tool, aligned with Minnesota’s WBWF and Achievement and Integration legislation. The district’s stated mission is to ensure all students are prepared for college, career, and life beyond high school, with a strong emphasis on closing racial and economic achievement gaps. This year’s report is built around several key goals:

1. Strengthening District Alignment: The report aims to foster shared understanding across the district by operationalizing the strategic directions and equity commitments that support Wayzata’s mission.
2. Enhancing Proficiency in Core Areas: By analyzing the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) results, the district gains insights into how well students are performing in reading, math, and other core areas, with a focus on identifying and addressing disparities.
3. Ensuring College and Career Readiness: Through ACT performance data, the district evaluates students’ preparedness for post-secondary education and the workforce.
4. Supporting High Graduation Rates: The report tracks graduation data, spotlighting both overall success and discrepancies among different demographic groups.

Academic Proficiency: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Results

The MCA and MTAS (Minnesota Tests of Academic Skills) scores reflect students’ academic progress and provide valuable insights into curriculum alignment with state standards.

• Math Proficiency (Grades 3-8): Overall, 75% of Wayzata students achieved proficiency in math, outperforming the state average of 47%. However, disparities exist among racial groups. Asian students demonstrated the highest proficiency rate at 90%, while American Indian/Alaska Native students had a 24% proficiency rate, a common fluctuation given the small group size. Additionally, students in special populations faced challenges, with 47% proficiency among those receiving special education services and 41% among English learners.
• Reading Proficiency (Grades 3-8): Reading proficiency for Wayzata students stood at 72%, compared to the state’s 49%. Asian students achieved an 82% proficiency rate, while American Indian/Alaska Native students again had the lowest at 24%. Among students receiving special education or free/reduced-price meals, proficiency was at 44%, and only 25% of English learners were reading at grade level.

These results underscore the need for continued focus on closing achievement gaps among various racial and economic groups. The district is implementing targeted interventions aimed at improving outcomes for these students.

College and Career Readiness: ACT Assessment Performance

Wayzata students generally perform well on the ACT, a standardized test commonly used for college admissions. The report included scores for all Grade 11 students, reflecting their best scores across test administrations.

• Mathematics: Sixty-four percent of Wayzata students met the ACT college readiness benchmark in math, though this represents a slight decline over the past three years. Notably, 86% of Asian students met the benchmark, while only 15% of Black or African American students reached this level. Students in special populations, including those receiving free/reduced meals and special education services, also scored below the benchmark at rates of 24% and 21%, respectively.
• Reading: In reading, 61% of Wayzata students met the ACT benchmark, though this number also reflects an 8-point decline over the past three years. Asian students once again led in proficiency, with 80% meeting the benchmark, while only 30% of Black or African American students achieved it. Among students receiving special education services, 51% met the benchmark, while 35% of students eligible for free/reduced meals did.

The ACT data reflects a need for continued focus on equitable support and resources to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to succeed. The district is working to strengthen college and career readiness programs that address specific needs within these subgroups.

High School Graduation Rates: Seven-Year Cohort Analysis

The WBWF report also examined graduation rates within a seven-year cohort, which includes students in the Wayzata Transition program. This data provides a more comprehensive view of student outcomes, particularly for those requiring additional time or support.

• Overall Graduation Rate: The seven-year graduation rate for Wayzata stands at an impressive 99%, far exceeding the state average of 89%. This high rate reflects the district’s commitment to supporting students through to graduation, even for those who may need extra time.
• Graduation Rates by Demographics: Graduation rates varied slightly among racial groups, with Asian students achieving a perfect 100% rate, while Black or African American students graduated at a rate of 96%. Among students in special populations, English learners reached a 100% graduation rate, while students receiving free/reduced-price meals graduated at 96%, and those in special education programs graduated at 92%.

Wayzata Public Schools graduation rates illustrate the district’s success in maintaining high standards for all students, though the data also highlights areas where specific support might enhance outcomes even further for students with unique needs.

Strategic Initiatives for Closing Gaps

To address these performance gaps, the district has outlined a series of strategic actions linked to its 2024-25 District Operational Plan (DOP). The plan is closely aligned with the district’s Strategic Roadmap and Equity Commitment, focusing on:

• Targeted Professional Development: Educators participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) aimed at identifying effective practices for closing achievement gaps, particularly within special populations.
• Enhanced Support for Students: Wayzata is increasing resources for students who require additional academic and social-emotional support, particularly those in low-income households and students with learning differences.
• Community Engagement: The district is expanding efforts to engage families and community stakeholders, recognizing the importance of collaborative support for student success.

Looking Ahead

The 2023-24 World’s Best Workforce report reaffirms Wayzata’s status as a top-performing district with consistently high graduation rates and ACT scores. However, the significant performance gaps, particularly among racial and economic subgroups, remain a primary focus. The district is committed to ongoing improvement efforts, ensuring every student receives the support needed to thrive.

For more information about the report or the district’s initiatives, community members are encouraged to reach out to the Teaching & Learning team via email at askTL@wayzataschools.org.