Measuring What Matters

Each year, the School Board measures key metrics to monitor academic progress and operations at Eden Prairie Schools. To improve communication, the School Board has developed “Measuring What Matters” to provide visibility and transparency into the progress at Eden Prairie Schools.

The School Board hopes that “Measuring What Matters” will give the community concise, timely, and relevant information on the performance of our schools.

EPHS 4-Year Graduation Rates

Introduction

Graduation rate metrics are reviewed by the Eden Prairie School Board each year when Ends Policy 1.1 is monitored. This policy states: “Each student graduates and is academically prepared to progress to multiple opportunities after high school.” During the monitoring process the Superintendent must provide evidence that the district is making reasonable progress toward this goal.

Data

This data for the 2022-23 school year was presented to the Board on October 23, 2023.

Target Set for 2022-2023 Level of Achievement

4-year: 95% 4-year: 95%
7-year: 97% 7-Year: 97% (2022)

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 23, 2023, this policy was monitored by the School Board. The Superintendent asserted, and the board concurred, that reasonable progress had been made. Over the last five years, substantial progress has been made in graduation rates. Additionally, Eden Prairie Schools continue to make significant progress reducing disparities in graduation rates across demographic sub-groups. Eden Prairie Schools’ success can be attributed to a well-defined multi-year strategy, and accountability for results. We believe these outcomes are unique in Minnesota and demonstrate that each student can succeed when we work together to reduce/eliminate barriers to learning. We are proud of the district’s performance and look forward to further progress next year. For more information, click here to read the full monitoring report presented to the Board.

Third Grade Reading Metrics: 2022-23 School Year

Introduction

The Eden Prairie School Board formally reviews third grade reading metrics each year when Ends Policy 1.2 is monitored. This policy states: “Each student is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.” During the monitoring process the Superintendent provides evidence to support whether reasonable progress has or has not been achieved. Studies show that in third grade students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. If students are not reading at grade level in third grade it can negatively impact their academic achievement in future years, so the Board continues to prioritize this goal in its policies. Sound research and measurement practices involve the triangulation of data for each student to identify success. Eden Prairie Schools utilize three reading assessments to measure proficiency and provide comprehensive evidence that third grade students are reading at grade level.

Data

The data for the 2022-23 school year was presented to the Board on October 23, 2023.

Target Set for 2022-2023: 80% Level of Achievement: 76%

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 23, 2023, the School Board monitored Ends Policy 1.2. The trends in all three measurement categories remained consistent with year over year results, yet the Superintendent asserted that reasonable progress had not been made, falling short of the 80% target. The School Board agreed with this assertion. District leadership provided an update to Ends Policy 1.2 at the January 22nd School Board Business Meeting. The leadership team, comprised of members of the administrative cabinet, reading specialists, and a Power Reading paraprofessional presented ongoing efforts and targeted actions to meet the third reading benchmarks approved by the board, highlighting deeper attention to Individualized Daily Reading (IDR) time at all elementary grade levels. The board also encouraged administration to identify opportunities to inform and engage parents to help students reach district literacy goals by encouraging at home reading.

Past Measuring What Matters initiatives

A Rigorous, Broad-Based Education

Developing a broad-based education requires extensive study, practice, and dynamic thinking. With graduation season just behind us and many of our graduates heading off to college or career opportunity, the EP School Board wanted to share our last 2021 “Measuring What Matters” metric before shifting to 2022 metrics in October.

Eden Prairie Schools offers many opportunities for students to receive a broad-based education that exceeds Minnesota Graduation requirements, such as: College in the Schools (CIS), PostSecondary Educational Opportunities (PSEO), World Language, Advanced Placement, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. Research shows that the courses taken in high school play a key role in persistence, graduation, and post-graduation success.

The School Board evaluates the following metrics to demonstrate exceeding minimum MN graduation requirements (most measured in percentages):

Students enrolled in Post-Secondary Options
1. Students eligible for Post-Secondary Options.
2. Students enrolled in and completing PSEO coursework.
3. Students enrolled in and completing CIS course work.
Students enrolled in rigorous coursework
1. Students enrolled in at least one AP course.
2. Students scoring 3 or greater on AP exams.
Students enrolled and completing Advanced course offerings (i.e. World Languages, Career & Tech Ed, Math).
Graduating students who earned more than 54 credits, above and beyond MN state minimum graduation requirements

We have included support evidence of “Students enrolled in rigorous coursework” in the following two tables:

Eden Prairie Schools has expanded access to these classes across demographic and service groups, to ensure EACH student receives a broad-based education and is well prepared for success after graduation. To inspire each student to participate and believe they can succeed, EPHS has implemented layered strategies, mentoring, and expanded the Capstone program to provide authentic learning experiences.

Statement of Assertion by School Board on 10/25/2021: The Eden Prairie School District did demonstrate the expected progress toward the achievement of Ends 1.1.3 “Each student receives a broad-based education that exceeds the Minnesota State Graduation Requirements.”

With increasing concern about the cost of college, Eden Prairie High School offers students one of the largest AP and PSEO opportunities in Minnesota. Students can earn college credit at a significant cost-savings, experience rigorous course work that prepares them for success after graduation, and families can potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in college tuition fees.

Financial Planning & Budgeting

Introduction

Financial Planning and Budgeting is monitored by the Eden Prairie School Board each year via Executive Limitations Policy 2.5. This policy states: “The Superintendent shall not cause or allow financial planning and budgeting for any fiscal year or the remaining part of any fiscal year to deviate materially from the School Board’s Ends priorities, risk financial jeopardy, or fail to be derived from a multi-year plan.” During the monitoring process, the Superintendent must provide evidence that the district is in compliance with the policy.

The following figure shows the Comparative Tax Levy Data for the 2020-2021 school year, presented to the Eden Prairie School Board on December 13, 2021.

Process to approve the Eden Prairie Schools District Budget as presented in the Policy Monitoring Report

The first official action that began the process of budget development was the approval of the payable 2020 tax levy, which occurred on Dec. 9, 2019. This levy included approximately 22.7% of General Fund revenue. The board also provided guidance and input to the budget development process as follows:

January 6, 2020 – Board workshop on a 5-year financial model
January 27, 2020 – Review budget timeline, discuss preliminary 2020-21 budget assumptions, 2019-20 mid-year budget approval
March 23, 2020 – Approved final 2020-21 budget assumptions, review proposed 2020-21 preliminary capital budget
April 27, 2020 – Review proposed 2020-21 school board budget
April 27, 2020 – Approved 2020-21 capital budget

School Board’s Perspective on the Data
Effective budgeting is a function of the rigorous budget development and approval process detailed above. On Dec. 13, 2021, the school board evaluated compliance with policy E.L. 2.5. The Superintendent asserted, and the school board concurred, that the district is in compliance with this policy. The continued financial stability of Eden Prairie Schools provides a foundation for an outstanding education, a collaborative work environment, world-class facilities, and consistency and value for taxpayers.

As has been the case for many years, school taxes paid by Eden Prairie residents are among the lowest of our neighboring cities. As shown in previous “Measuring What Matters” communications, our district continues to deliver notable student achievement results and high levels of parent and community satisfaction. Further, the great work of the district’s finance professionals has been recognized by independent professional organizations:

Eden Prairie Schools received the Association of School Business Officials International’s (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting award. The COE award is conferred to school systems that have met or exceeded the stringent standards of the COE criteria.
The district was also recognized for its high-quality Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending 2021. These awards demonstrate the Eden Prairie School District’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

For more information, click here to read the full monitoring report presented to the Board.

Graduation Rate Metrics: 2020-21 School Year

Introduction

Data

This data for the 2020-2021 school year was presented to the Board on October 25, 2021.

Target Set for 2020-2021 Level of Achievement

4-year: 94% 4-year: 95.3%

7-year: 97% 7-year: Not available when monitored

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 25, 2021, when this policy was monitored, the Superintendent asserted and the board voted that reasonable progress had been made. The progress made over the last four years to reduce the gap in graduation rates between subgroups of students is truly commendable. The Eden Prairie School District can confidently say that the overwhelming majority of our students will graduate in four years, well prepared to continue on their college or career pathway. For more information, click here to read the full monitoring report presented to the Board.

Graduation Rate Metrics: 2021-22 School Year

Introduction

Data

This data for the 2021-2022 school year was presented to the Board on October 24, 2022.

Target Set for 2021-2022 Level of Achievement

4-year: 95% 4-year: 95%

7-year: 97% 7-year: 96% (2020 cohort)

Bar charts that show the Eden Prairie High School 4-Year Graduation Rate and pie charts with the 2022 Preliminary Graduate

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 24, 2022, this policy was monitored by the School Board. The Superintendent asserted, and the board concurred, that reasonable progress had been made. Over the last five years, substantial progress has been made in graduation rates. Additionally, Eden Prairie Schools continue to make significant progress reducing disparities in graduation rates across demographic sub-groups. Eden Prairie Schools’ success can be attributed to a well-defined multi-year strategy, excellent execution, the shift to personalized learning, and accountability for results. We believe these outcomes are unique in Minnesota and demonstrate that each student can succeed when we work together to reduce/eliminate barriers to learning. We are proud of the district’s performance and look forward to further progress next year.

New for 2022-2023

Sound research and measurement practices involve the triangulation of data for each student to identify success. To provide additional evidence confirming that “Each student graduates and is academically prepared to progress to multiple opportunities after high school,” the district has implemented a new three-part metric. This metric was established in 20221-22 and evaluates student success across: ACT scores, capstone course completion, and gateway course performance (English 12, Algebra II, Physics/Chemistry, and Economics). The School Board will review this new metric at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 evaluation period in October 2023.

The Eden Prairie School District can confidently say that the overwhelming majority of our students will graduate in four years, well prepared for college, a career pathway, or their next journey after graduation.

For more information, click here to read the full monitoring report presented to the Board.

Third Grade Reading Metrics: 2020-21 School Year

Introduction

Third-grade reading metrics are reviewed by the Eden Prairie School Board each year when Ends Policy 1.1.1 is monitored. This policy states: “Each student is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.” During the monitoring process, the Superintendent must provide evidence that the district is making reasonable progress toward this goal.

Studies show that in third-grade students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. If students are not reading at grade level in third grade it can negatively impact their academic achievement in future years, so the Board prioritized this goal in its policies.

Data

The data for the 2020-2021 school year was presented to the Board on October 25, 2021.

Target Set for 2020-2021: 78% Level of Achievement: 75.2%

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 25, 2021, when the school board monitored this policy, the Superintendent asserted and the board voted to find that reasonable progress had not been made. However, given that the target was set early in the pandemic, the fact that the target was missed by only 2.8 percentage points is remarkable. The board applauded the staff for their hard work. Because reasonable progress was not made, in the coming months the Superintendent will provide updates to the board regarding what actions are being taken to remediate the shortfall in achievement and the gaps in achievement between different subgroups of students. For more information, click here to read the full monitoring report presented to the Board.

Third Grade Reading Metrics: 2021-22 School Year.

Introduction

Studies show that in third grade students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. If students are not reading at grade level in third grade it can negatively impact their academic achievement in future years, so the Board prioritizes this goal in its policies.

Sound research and measurement practices involve the triangulation of data for each student to identify success. Eden Prairie Schools utilize three reading assessments to measure proficiency and provide comprehensive evidence that third grade students are reading at grade level.

Data

The data for the 2021-2022 school year was presented to the Board on October 24, 2022.

Target Set for 2021-2022: 80% Level of Achievement: 78%

A graphic in red and black that lists third grade reading rates for EP Schools, the state and neighboring districts

Several bar graphs comparing reading by third grade

A bar graph that gives reading by third grade rates year over year

School Board’s Perspective on the Data

On October 24, 2022, the School Board monitored Ends Policy 1.2. The Superintendent asserted that reasonable progress had not been made, falling just short of the 80% target.

The School Board debated this assertion extensively, evaluating: (1) Management did not reach the target, (2) Management initially proposed a 78% metric, but the board requested (and management agreed) to raise performance expectations to 80%, (3) Although Eden Prairie Schools maximized in person school days during the 2021-2022 school year, there were significant COVID distractions and student/staff absences that impacted student learning, (4) The 80% target was set during the summer of 2021, before additional COVID restrictions/impacts were contemplated, (5) FastBridge test results (which are last in the evaluation cycle) were trending towards the 80% metric, (6) Supplemental initiatives to improve reading performance, including the “Power Reading” program, gained traction post MCA/MTAS testing, (7) Eden Prairie Schools reading outcomes vs surrounding school districts demonstrated superior execution and performance.

Considering the aforementioned factors in 2021-2022, and the improving data trends seen in the recent test metrics, the School Board decided not to accept the Superintendent’s assertion and concluded that reasonable progress had been made by the school district. Although the School Board considered extraordinary circumstances for the 2021-2022 measurement period, the School Board reasserted the reading proficiency target for 2022-2023 at 80%, reflecting the expectation that the district consistently raises performance expectations for each child in our district.