State Recognizes Clark Lane Middle School As A "School Of Distinction"

Clark Lane Middle School has been recognized as a "School of Distinction" by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). 

On December 5, the Department released the 2013 School and District Performance Reports, scorecards that inform parents and communities on the overall performance of their schools and districts. Schools with the highest performing subgroups, schools that are making the most progress, and schools with the highest overall performance are identified annually as Schools of Distinction. 

The CSDE has identified 73 schools as 2012-13 Schools of Distinction. Waterford's middle school turns out to be one of the top performing schools in the state, with the highest overall performance.

The new report is the first time that Connecticut’s accountability system is fully implemented, as approved by the U.S. Department of Education as part of this state’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver in 2012. 

“Our accountability system is designed both to recognize the progress our schools are making and to reveal the challenges where they exist.  These reports demonstrate that there are bright spots and best practices as well as areas in need of review and improvement in districts and schools across the state,” said CSDE Commissioner Stefan Pryor.  “We encourage educators and parents to draw upon these reports – as well as other forms of input and insight – as they continue working together for our schools’ and our students’ success. ”

The school and district reports provide perspective on where a specific school falls under Connecticut’s new accountability system. The reports also contain a breakdown of performance by subject area and subgroup to reveal achievement gaps, highlight areas of strength, and bring attention to where there is room for improvement. Parents and educators are also informed if a school is on track for meeting their long-term goals.

All schools statewide received one of the following classifications: Excelling, Progressing, Transitioning, Review, Focus, or Turnaround. This report is the first time schools are categorized as Excelling, Progressing, or Transitioning. In 2012-13, more than two-thirds of Connecticut schools earned a Progressing or Transitioning classification.

• SPI (Student Performance Index) for “all students” group in 2013 is greater than or equal to 88 and is among the highest 10% of all Title I (or non-Title I) schools;  
• Gaps between the majority of historically underperforming subgroups (ELLs, students with disabilities, students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, Black/ African-American students, Hispanic/ Latino students) and the “all students” group is less than 10 SPI points;  
• For high schools, the 2012 four-year cohort graduation rate is at least 94%; and The 2012 Holding Power Rate is at least 96%.