Kansas State Department of Education Recognizes Ness City Schools

April 23, 2024

Every year the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) recognizes high performing schools throughout the state. Consideration for this recognition starts with KSDE analyzing required monthly paperwork from the 287 Kansas school districts. After a thorough analysis of this enormous amount of data...Ness City Schools received 4 awards!

USD 303 received the following KSDE Awards:

● Gold Recognition for High School Graduation Rate from KSDE

● Silver Recognition for Post-Secondary Success rate from KSDE

● Copper Recognition for Academically Prepared for Post-Secondary from KSDE

● Commissioner’s Award for School Improvement

Mr. Reinhardt explains "only 19% of school districts received the top 4 recognitions on this list. Ness City should be very proud of this accomplishment."

Mr. Reinhardt also analyzed local data using results of state assessment "that show growth within the district in the three state assessed content areas of math, science, and English."

● Decreased chronic absenteeism in the district by 12.7%.

● Decreased students scoring in level 1 by 15% in Math.

● Decreased students scoring in level 1 by 13% in ELA.

● Decreased students scoring in level 1 by 21.4% in Science.

● Increased students scoring in levels 3 and 4 by 13% in Science.

● Increased students scoring in levels 3 and 4 by 13% in Math.

● Increased students scoring in levels 3 and 4 by 13% in ELA.

To better understand the levels, the following information is from the KSDE website: levels are determined by using "knowledge, skills, and processes that students likely demonstrate at different levels of proficiency within the reporting categories." (The state wants the students to achieve at least Level 2.)

Level 1: A student at Level 1 shows a limited ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary readiness.

Level 2: A student at Level 2 shows a basic ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary readiness.

Level 3: A student at Level 3 shows an effective ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary readiness.

Level 4: A student at Level 4 shows an excellent ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary readiness.