• Jeffco sustains outstanding CSAP scores
• Jeffco students earn high marks on ACT
• Update on construction projects
• Board considers asking voters to fund school projects
• School starts early this year
• Celebration of Excellence
• Board of Education Meetings

Brian Boatright
Jefferson County District Judge
Jefferson High School Alumnus

The Bright Stars program recognizes Jeffco
Public Schools' graduates who have gone on to distinguished careers or have accomplished a significant achievement. If you have a Bright Star you would like to nominate, please e-mail Communications Services.

Jeffco Public Schools continues to exceed the state performance in all content areas at every grade level in the 2008 Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) . Jeffco also shows improvement from its 2007 scores with gains in 10 CSAP assessments, including math, reading and writing. The 2008 science scores are not comparable to earlier results because of state-mandated changes in science testing.

“I am especially pleased that once again we have many points of pride in our CSAP scores,” said Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Stevenson. “Overall, the district did well, but we can always do better.”

Some highlights from Jeffco’s 2008 CSAP results:
• In math, the district percentage of students who are at or above proficient increased in five grade levels — third, fifth, eighth, ninth and tenth — compared to 2007.
• In reading, students in fifth, sixth and eighth grades showed increases in proficient or higher scores compared to 2007.
• Hispanic and Black students showed some gains in reading, writing and math.
• The gender gap still exists, with female students outperforming males in both reading and writing tests. Male students have a slight advantage in math test scores over females.
• The percentage of special education students increased on 16 of 24 assessments.

“These results remind me once again of how proud I am of our teachers, principals, parents and students — they deserve the credit. Jeffco students sustained their performance in reading and improved their performance in math,” said Stevenson. “Over the next year, the hard work continues to keep our scores and our students on the path to continuous improvement.” Jeffco’s Pomona High School received special recognition from CDE because the school’s ninth grade scores have shown significant and sustained improvement over the past four years

Click to see the scores

Jeffco Public Schools’ juniors show gains in the 2008 ACT. The district composite score rose to 20.4 (or .04 percent) in 2008, up from 20.0 in 2007. In addition to an increase over last year, the district is also outpacing the state – the state composite score is 19.4. The ACT is a standardized achievement test for college admissions with test scores ranging from 1 – 36.

D’Evelyn High School led the district and the state with a 27.2 composite score, a full point higher than its 26.2 from last year, while Jefferson Academy had the biggest increase from 20.0 last year to 22.9 this year.

Other high schools that had gains this year include:
Alameda High School - 1.3
Conifer High School - 1.5
Evergreen High School - 1.5
Jeffco Open High School - 1.2
Jefferson High School - 1.8
Lincoln Academy High School - 2.2
Long View High School - 1.7

School construction continues on-time and on-budget. Jeffco Public Schools currently has a total number of 338 projects with the following breakdown: 214 completed, 53 in construction, 40 in design/bidding and 31 not yet started. All projects are part of the 2005-2010 Capital Improvement Program and funded from the 2004 $328.5 million bond.

Upcoming building dedications:
Golden High School, September 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Wheat Ridge High School, September 23 at 3:30 p.m.

To keep accurately informed, and to help inform others, please download and print the August District Construction Update fact sheet

Find out how bond money could be invested in our schools.

The first day of school for most Jeffco Public Schools is Tuesday, Aug. 12. For information about enrollment and registration go to the district's Website. To view elementary school supply lists click here.

What additional information would be helpful about the start of school?

Mark your calendar now so you won't miss out on the Celebration of Excellence, Wednesday, October 15. The annual Celebration of Excellence is designed to recognize and feature performances from some of the Jeffco Public Schools' most promising students. Join the celebration as the district honors these outstanding students, teachers, staff and community leaders who have excelled in the academics, athletics, service and the arts.

Enjoy a wide assortment of entertainment from Jeffco students. Key Communicators receive an invitation via e-mail or mail depending on how you receive the Key Communique newsletter. Mark your calendar and reserve your seat now by calling 303-982-6808.

The Board of Education holds study/dialogue sessions (Seminar Room, 4th floor) and business meetings (Board Room, 5th floor) at the Educational Services Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg #27, Golden, unless otherwise noted.