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Education StatusArkansas and the Northwest
Region
OEP is a research center within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas that specializes in
Education Research and Policy.www.uark.edu/ua/oep
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Overview
Arkansas• State Strengths: 2011 Quality Counts Report
• Assessment Success: NAEP Standardized Testing
• Achievement Gaps: Demographics, FRL
Northwest Region• The “Big 5” Districts• Assessment Success: Benchmark Standardized Testing
• Achievement Gaps: Demographics, FRL
• Regional Features: Postsecondary Schooling and Expenditures
Quality Counts: 2011 ReportState Strengths
• AR ranks 6th nationally with an overall grade of B-(81.4)
• Overall grade is higher than the national average of C+(76.3) and greater than the surrounding states average of C- to C+
• AR received an A (94.4%) on the Standards, Assessments, and Accountability category regarding educational policy measures
• AR earned a B+ in the teaching Profession and ranks 2nd nationally
*The overall EdWeek ranking system is subject to criticism
State Demographics
Black21%
His-panic
9%
Other5%
White
65%
K-12 AR Demographics2010
*Other includes Asian, 2 or more races, Native Alaskan, Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
Black24%
His-panic
1%
Other1%
White74%
K-12 AR Demographics1993
Hispanic students
*2009 Data*CCD Common Core of Data, US Department of Education, State Profiles
• The state’s enrollment for Hispanic students is below the national average
• The state’s enrollment for LEP/ELL students is below the national average
AR US (average)0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
41,096
205,035
Total enrollment: 2009 Hispanic students
Hispanic students enrolled
AR US (average)0
20,00040,00060,00080,000
100,000
27,634
85,354
LEP/ELL Students enrolled
LEP/ELL Students enrolled
LEP/ELL Students are in appropriate programs of language assistance (e.g., English as a Second Language, High Intensity Language Training, bilingual education).
Standardized Testing: NAEPNational Assessment for Educational Progress
• Also known as “The Nation’s Report Card”
• The largest nationwide assessment of what students know in various academic subjects
• Exams are administered and collected uniformly across the nation; allowing for comparison of national, state and long term academic progress, including trends over time
Recent NAEP results show that ELL students, English Language Learners, performed at a level 3% higher in NWA than ELL students nationally!
NAEP Mathematics
Grade 4: National Math Scores
2003 2005 2007 20090%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%
26%34%
37% 36%31%35% 39% 39%
AR US
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
• AR continues to fall just below the national average
• AR saw a slight decrease in the percentage of proficient and advanced scores
• Similar in Gr 8
NAEP Reading
Grade 8: National Reading Scores
2003 2005 2007 20090%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
27% 26% 25% 27%
31% 29% 29% 31%
AR US
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
• Both the Nation and State are seeing rising reading scores
• AR continues to show scores just below the national average
• Similar in Gr 4
Achievement Gaps
Areas of Concern • Racial Gap between majority and minority students
Measured by NAEP performance for White, Black and Hispanic students
• Poverty Gap between students eligible for FRL and students not eligibleMeasured by NAEP performance for students eligible and not eligible for FRL
*FRL = Free and Reduced Lunch
There are a variety of reasons for achievement gaps in AR but the disadvantages for low-income and minority students cannot be ignored. AR policy makers are focused on improving educational outcomes for all
children, regardless of their income, race or geographic location.
Racial Achievement Gap
AR Gap 2005 2007 2009White/Hispanic 17 pts 24 pts 20 ptsWhite/ Black 32 pts 34 pts 34 pts
AR Gap 2005 2007 2009White/ Hispanic 13 pts 23 pts 19 pts
White/ Black 24 pts 22 pts 26 pts
NAEP: Grade 4 Math NAEP: Grade 8 Math
*The racial achievement gap between Arkansas students continues to widen
2005 2007 20090%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
42%46% 46%
25%22%
26%
10%12% 12%
White Hispanic Black
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
2005 2007 20090%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%
28%31%
34%
15%8%
15%
4%9% 8%
White Hispanic Black
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
Poverty Achievement Gap: NAEP Performance
NAEP: Grade 4 Math NAEP: Grade 8 Math
AR Gap 2005 2007 2009
Non-Poverty/Poverty 27 pts 30 pts 32 pts
AR Gap 2005 2007 2009
Non-Poverty/Poverty 17 pts 21 pts 25 pts
*The poverty achievement gap between is growing as scores for disadvantaged students remain flat while scores for their more affluent peers are improving a bit
2005 2007 20090%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%49%
54% 55%
22%24% 23%
Non-Poverty StudentsPoverty Students
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
2005 2007 20090%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%
30%35%
40%
13% 14% 15%
Non-Poverty StudentsPoverty Students
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
A bit of good news!
Achievement Gaps – 2009 AR v. US
AR US0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%
12% 16%26% 22%
46% 51%
Black Hispanic White
% P
rofic
ient
/ Adv
ance
d
NAEP: Grade 4 Math
• Hispanic Students outperformed their peers across the country on the same exam
AR US0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%
23% 22%
55% 54%
Poverty Non-Poverty
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d• AR poverty students and non-poverty students outperformed national peers on the same exam
NAEP: Grade 4 Math
Remediation Rates• A remedial student is a first-time entering student who does not meet the board’s cut-off
score (on ACT, SAT, Compass and ASSET tests); and is being assigned to developmental-level academic coursework.
• 2010 AR Remediation rate is 52.5%• Full time students have substantially lower remediation rates• The Remediation rate for math, English and reading have decreased
2009 20100%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%76% 77%
55% 53%40% 38%
2 year colleges AR public colleges 4 year colleges
% re
med
iate
d
This report focuses on “anytime” remediation rates, in which the high school graduation date is ignored*Percentages may be rounded
2010 Fall Term Anytime Remediation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
State Recap• Positive news from the 2011 Quality Counts Report, which gave AR a B- and a ranking of 6th nationally
• AR students continue to fall just below the national average on NAEP standardized testing
• The achievement gaps, both racial and poverty, between AR students continue to widen
• AR poverty, non-poverty and Hispanic students outperformed their US peers on the same exam
There are fifteen different school districts that make up the NWA region. The focal point for this report are the “Big 5” districts, considering the attendance is the majority of NWA students.
Northwest Arkansas
The “Big 5” Districts
• Bentonville• Fayetteville• Rogers• Siloam Springs• Springdale
*Other NWA districts include Decatur, Elkins, Farmington, Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, Lincoln, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and West Fork.
The “Big 5” Districts of NWA
* The ADE reports the 2010 NWA total enrollment: 72,826 students *Other NWA districts include Decatur, Elkins, Farmington, Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, Lincoln, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and West Fork.
Bentonville19%
Rogers19%
Siloam Springs5%
Fayetteville12%
Springdale26%
Other NWA districts
19%
2010 Enrollment: NWA School Districts
• In 2010, NWA students made up 15% of all Arkansas students
• In 2004, NWA students made up 13% Of all Arkansas students
NWA Diversity
•Percentages may be rounded
Bentonvill
e
Faye
tteville
Rogers
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
Arkansas
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
17%
26%
44%
33%
52%
33% 33%26%
36%
57%
49%
56%
47%54%
Minority students FRL students
% M
inor
ity/F
RL
Minority and FRL students: 2009 NWA Districts
• Rogers school district shows the highest percentage of FRL students
• Springdale school district shows the highest percentage of Minority students
• AR and NWA show an equal percentage of minority students (AR largest minority group: Black) (NWA largest minority group: Hispanic)
NWA Hispanic Students
*2010 Data*Arkansas Department of Education, enrollment per district*percentages may be rounded
Bentonville
Fayettev
ille
Rogers
Siloam Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdale
Big 5 Distric
ts
All NW
A Distric
ts
Arkansas0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%
7% 9%
40%
23%
41%
30%23%
9%
2010 NWA Enrollment: % Hispanic
% Hispanic
• Springdale has the largest percentage of Hispanic students, while Bentonville has the lowest
Arkansas Benchmark ExamsArkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) • Known as the Benchmark exams, a program with high academic standards, professional development, student assessment, and accountability on the schools’ behalf.
• The testing approach ensures that students are performing on grade level and communicates to schools what students should know. Results benefit the parent, educators and local policy makers.
• The state wide program has two main initiatives. The Smart Start Initiative focuses on grades K – 4 and The Smart Step Initiative which focuses on grades 5– 8; and education for grades 9-12 regarding writing, reading and mathematics.
Benchmark Test ScoresAR Benchmark Literacy Exam:
Elementary Average (Grades 3—5), 2009
AR Benchmark Math Exam: Middle School Average (Grades 6—8),
2009
Bentonvill
e
Faye
tteville
Rogers
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
Arkansas
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
82% 76% 74% 70% 63%72% 68%
% Proficient/Advanced
Bentonvill
e
Faye
tteville
Rogers
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
Arkansas
0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
88% 83% 77% 80%66%
78%69%
% Proficient/Advanced
NWA students, both Elementary and Middle School, outperform their state-wide peers
Achievement Gaps in NWA Areas of Concern
• Racial Gap between majority and minority students• Poverty Gap between students eligible for FRL and students not eligible
White students in NWA scored an average of 2 to 7 percentage points
higher than their peers across
the state
Black students in NWA performed 8 to 21 percentage
points higher than their
peers across the state
Hispanic students
in NWA and AR scored at similar levels, the
average was the same in middle
school math and elementary literacy
*AR Benchmark Test Performance serves as the measurement for achievement gaps *2009 Data
Elem. Scores by Racial Group, NWA
*If there were 10 or fewer students tested in a particular grade, the data were not included.
AR Benchmark Math Exam: Elementary Average (Grades 3—5), 2009
Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs
Springdale NWA Region Arkansas0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
78% 66%81%
55% 66%58%
81%66%
82% 73% 68% 73%72%
92% 88% 89% 87% 84% 86%83%
Black Hispanic White
% P
rofic
ient
/ Adv
ance
d
*If there were 10 or fewer students tested in a particular grade, the data were not included.
Middle Scores by Racial Group, NWA
AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Middle School Average (Grades 6—8), 2009
Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs
Springdale NWA Region Arkansas0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
80%
63% 60% 62% 66%
46%
73%70% 70%
60%
52% 62% 59%
86% 85% 84% 79% 80% 82%75%
Black Hispanic White
% P
rofic
ient
/ Adv
ance
d
Elem Scores by Poverty Group, NWA
8276 74 70
6372 6870
5666
5852
60 59
0102030405060708090
100
Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs
Springdale Northwest Arkansas
Arkansas
Perc
ent P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
Overall Average, All Students Free/Reduced Lunch Students
AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Average for Grades 3—5, 2009
NWA shows a slightly higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores overallFRL students in NWA outperform FRL students across the state
Middle Scores by Poverty Group, NWA
85 82 7973
6676
677163
7160
5264
56
0102030405060708090
100
Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs
Springdale Northwest Arkansas
Arkansas
Perc
ent P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
Overall Average, All Students Free/Reduced Lunch Students
AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Average for Grades 6—8, 2009
NWA shows a higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores than ARFRL students in NWA outperform FRL students across the state
End-Of-Course Exams• EOC exams are administered by the ACTAAP (AR Benchmark) and used to help evaluate the performance of high school students
• EOC exams are aligned to the standards contained within the Arkansas Mathematics and Science Curriculum Frameworks
• EOC exams include Algebra I, Geometry, 11th grade Literacy, and Biology
• NWA students outperform their state-wide peers on EOC exams
*For this report, the areas of focus are Algebra 1 and 11th Grade Literacy
11TH Grade Literacy Exam
Bentonvill
eRoge
rs
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Faye
tteville
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
State
85%68%
54%
71%57%
67%57%
EOC 11th Grade Literacy Exam: 2009 NWA Districts
% Proficient/Advanced 2009
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
The Grade 11 Literacy examination includes items that are aligned to the English Language Arts Curriculum Framework for Arkansas
• NWA students show a higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores than AR
Algebra 1 “High Stakes” Exam• A new state law was passed in 2010 requiring students to pass the Algebra 1 EOC exam to graduate high school
• This exam serves for both state and federal accountability, being the State’s first ever “High Stake” exam
Bentonvill
eRoge
rs
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Faye
tteville
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
State
92%75% 73%
86%70% 77%
71%
EOC Algebra 1 Exam: 2009
% Proficient/Advanced
% P
rofic
ient
/Adv
ance
d
The students have more than one opportunity to pass the exam, both additional tries and remediation are offered
• AP, or Advanced Placement courses are offered to high school students, providing preparation for college level courses
• If three points or higher is scored on the nationally coordinated AP placement exam students can earn college credits
• AP courses are a collaborative effort between students, teachers and educational institutions
AP Placement Exam
2009 AP Placement Exam Results
• NWA shows a higher percentage of passing exams
• NWA represents almost 10% of all AP exams taken in AR
• Fayetteville High School was named #1 in AP Scholars in Arkansas in 2008
Number of AP exams taken 5,305 31,232 Percent scoring 3, 4, or 5 (passing) 51% 30%
NWA Big 5 State
Graduation Rates
Bentonvill
e
Faye
tteville
Rogers
Siloam
Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdale
NWA Region
State
89%81% 82%
95%
81%84%
76%
Graduation Rates: 2008 NWA Districts
2008
% o
f gra
duat
es
• The NWA Graduation rate is 84%, eight percentage points higher than the state average
ACT American College Testing • The ACT is a national college admissions exam that tests English, mathematics, reading and science. This exam assures academic preparation needed for college level courses
• The test gives a comprehensive overview of educational assessments and is a great resource for educators
• Students are encouraged to take the test considering the benefits such as career planning, unique interest inventory and further educational planning
2009 National Average
21.1
2009 State Average
20.62008 NWA Average
22.6
ACT Average Composite Scores DISTRICT SCORE
Bentonville 23.1Fayetteville 24.1Rogers 22.3
Siloam Springs 22.0Springdale 22.7
NWA 22.6AR 20.6US 21.1
*2009 Data
• Each of the “Big 5” Districts in NWA have a higher ACT average than AR and the US
Remediation Rates: NWA Districts
This report focuses on “anytime” remediation rates, in which the high school graduation date is ignored*Percentages may be rounded *2009 Data
Bentonville
Fayettev
ille
Rogers
Sprin
gdale
Siloam Sprin
gs
Big 5 Dist
ricts
All NW
A Distric
ts
Arkansas0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
34%28%
43% 46% 45%39%
42%53%
% Remediated
% Remediated
• A remedial student is a first-time entering student who does not meet the cut-off score and is being assigned to developmental-level academic coursework.
• Good news, NWA school districts show over 10% less remediated students than the state
• Fayetteville shows the lowest percent of remediated students
High school graduates of NWA have a variety of postsecondary educational options. This report highlights the four major higher education institutions in the region.
Postsecondary Education
UAF University of Arkansas, Fayetteville • Offers more than 200 study programs, 87 bachelor’s degree programs in
74 fields of study • The Carnegie Foundation placed the UAF among the top 10 percent of
universities nationwide
NWACC Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville
• A public two year college that offers 5 transfer associate degree programs, preparing students for a 4 year college
• Provides to its service areas with a regional technology center in Fayetteville and the Washington Co. Center in Springdale
This report highlights the four major higher education institutions in the region.
Postsecondary Education UAFS University of Arkansas, Fort Smith
• Offers students 70 bachelor’s degree programs in seven colleges and more than 50 campus organizations.
• Also offers over 20 programs for technical and proficient certificates, from automotive to computer maintenance.
JBU John Brown University , Siloam Springs• Offers students 45 bachelor’s degree programs and 3 graduate programs in
business, counseling and ministry.• Ranked 2nd among southern regional colleges in the “U.S. News and World
Report: America’s Best Colleges” in 2011
More Local Options include NW Technical Institute in Springdale, University of Phoenix in Rogers, and Blue Cliff College in Fayetteville
Postsecondary Education
Enrollment for the four major postsecondary educational institutions of NWA.
UAF UAFS NWACC JBU0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,0002,1405
7,716 8,365
2,131
2009-2010 Enrollment: NWA colleges
Fall 2009 Fall 2010
Stud
ents
Enr
olle
d• NWA colleges are showing rising enrollment rates, especially UAF with over 21, 000 students last fall.
Total Expenditure Per Pupil
Bentonville
Fayettev
ille
Rogers
Siloam Sprin
gs
Sprin
gdaleNW
A AR $-
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
8,318
10,376
8,330 8,310 8,150 8,883 8,677
Total Expenditure per pupil: 2009 NWA Districts
Total Expenditure per pupil
• The total expenditure per pupil is the dollar amount spent for the general education of each student
• The 2010 national expenditure per pupil is $ 10,297 (US department of Education)
*Data from 2009
NWA Teacher Salary
*Data from the 2010 Arkansas Education Report, OEP Analysis of Arkansas Teacher Salaries: State, Region, and District
Average salary for 2009
AR $47,472
NWA $47,266
US $51,359
• Teachers in NWA have a higher starting salary than the state average
• Teachers with a Master’s Degree and 15+ years of experience in NWA get paid almost $10,000 more than the AR average
• The average salary for NWA has increased from previous years but is still lower than both AR and the US
Bentonville Rogers Siloam Springs
Fayetteville Springdale NWA AR
$42,230 $41,300 $37,850
$41,310 $41,757 $41,430 $31,631
$51,811 $54,695 $46,549
$59,220 $54,795 $47,266 $47,472
$56,201 $55,976 $47,970
$56,253 $54,832 $55,215
$43,759
Teacher Salary: 2009 NWA Districts
MA + 15yrsAverage SalaryStarting Salary
NWA Teacher Salary
*Data from the 2010 Arkansas Education Report, OEP Analysis of Arkansas Teacher Salaries: State, Region, and District
• NWA students outperform their state-wide peers on standardized tests (this includes Benchmark, EOC and AP examinations)
• NWA ACT scores are higher than the both AR and the US average
• NWA Graduation rate is well above the state average
• Enrollment for NWA postsecondary educational institutions continues to increase
• Average NWA Teacher salary is lower than the state, but the starting salary and MA 15+ years is well above AR
Northwest Arkansas Recap
OEP is a research center within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas that specializes in
Education Research and Policy.www.uark.edu/ua/oep
• AR Education Reports
• Policy Briefs
• Report Cards
• Newsletters
• Data Resources