Kearney Public Schools Administration Office, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Nebraska Department of Education has released AQuESTT Classifications for all public schools in Nebraska. AQuESTT (Accountability for a Quality Education Today and Tomorrow) is the state accountability system that measures all schools in six “tenet” areas.
The tenets are based on common factors that contribute to a quality public school. The tenets that are examined include: 1) Educational Opportunities and Access; 2) Transitions, 3), Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Success; 4) Educator Effectiveness 5) Student Achievement and Growth; and 6), Postsecondary, Career, and Civic Readiness.
While Nebraska schools were previously ranked based on the state test scores (NeSA), schools have been measured by AQuESTT since 2015. This broad look at each school gives a critical eye to not just assessment scores, but also a variety of other factors that impact a student’s success at their school as well as a school’s overall effectiveness. Schools are rated in one of the following four classifications: Needs Support, Good, Great, or Excellent.
We are pleased to report Kearney Public Schools fared very well in the 2023 AQuESTT classifications! The following ratings were provided to KPS schools:
- Excellent: Bryant, Central, Glenwood, Meadowlark, Park, Windy Hills, Horizon M.S.
- Great: Buffalo Hills, Emerson, Kenwood, Sunrise M.S.
- Good: Kearney High School
- Needs Support: None
Horizon Middle School received the highest rating of “Excellent,” however, it became the district’s first school designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) due to scores in Special Education and English Language not improving at a sufficient rate over the past few years. The district will concentrate professional development activities on these programs with the goal being to retain the top overall rating of “Excellent” while improving test scores in the two targeted programs.
While these results aren’t perfect, they illustrate that many great things are happening in Kearney Public Schools with room remaining for growth. We look forward to maintaining excellence while improving our performance throughout the district and will work tirelessly to continue to provide the best education possible for all students!
A more detailed explanation of the scoring used for AQuESTT is provided below, and I welcome any additional questions. Please e-mail me at jasmundorf@kearneycats.com or contact me at 308-698-8020.