Why Audacious Goals for Bold Improvement are More Important Than Ever
In the quest to improve educational outcomes, peer-reviewed science and our Bold Schools' experiences point to a powerful formula for success: setting bold educational goals for students, paired with just-in-time, evidence-based supports.
In its five-year strategic plan, DC Public Schools (DCPS) has set ambitious goals aimed at enhancing student outcomes. The plan, known as the Strategic Plan: A Capital Commitment 2023-2028, measures this success according to two specific metrics:
80% of students pass or meet/exceed performance expectations on state assessments for Math and English Language Arts.
Double the number of students enroll in Algebra 1 during middle school.
While these goals may seem lofty, setting and supporting bold goals is essential for fostering a strong educational environment. The research is clear—when we combine high expectations and smart goals ideas for students with the right support, they can accomplish almost anything we ask of them.
The Importance of Bold Goals
Numerous studies have highlighted the advantages of setting high educational goals for students. For example, research from Collective Expectations Protecting and Preventing Academic Achievement highlights how shared beliefs about student potential can significantly influence positive outcomes, even when controlling for socioeconomic status. According to the study’s findings, high expectations can serve as a protective factor, helping to ensure academic success regardless of a student's background.
Similarly, the study Creating Cultures of Equity and High Expectations in a Low-Performing School examined how local education agencies (LEAs) and school leadership influence the development of equitable and high-expectation cultures in historically underserved schools. It found that transitioning to improved educational outcomes is closely tied to effective leadership and effective communication of high expectations at all school system levels.
Bold goals naturally inspire innovation, pushing school leaders and teachers to explore new methods and creative solutions for design thinking process steps. This drive for innovation often results in more hands-on learning experiences, personalized instructional time in the classroom, and more knowledge-building activities crucial for goal setting and achievement.
Turning Data into Action: How We Support Bold Schools
Setting high standards and achieving remarkable results often requires a bold approach. So, how do we know if bold goals are being reached?
The Bold Performance Schools Report is part of EmpowerK12’s Bold Schools initiative. It recognizes student data at DC schools that boldly support priority students—defined as economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, and students of color—to reach academic success.
EK12 uses sophisticated models to analyze how various factors, such as grade levels and student demographics, impact academic outcomes. Utilizing ensemble models similar to those used in weather forecasting, we predict expected proficiency rates and identify Bold Performance Schools based on a combination of algorithms.
In 2023, 12 schools across 11 campuses were designated as 2023 Bold Performance Schools, serving elementary and middle grades and a student population with more than 30% of students from economically disadvantaged families and with proficiency rates exceeding pre-pandemic expectations for schools serving similar students.
Data from the previous year showed that PARCC proficiency rates for these schools were an average of 9.1 percentage points higher than those of other Bold-eligible schools, and their 2022 PARCC 4+ proficiency rates exceeded the pre-pandemic average for schools serving similar demographics by 2.6 percentage points.
Similarly, the 2023 report reveals even more significant progress in student outcomes, supporting the idea that targeted goals can be achieved with data-driven practices and strategies. This year’s Bold Performance Schools educate 3,200 students, including 1,900 economically disadvantaged students. Their progress is notable:
15.1 Percentage Points Above Peers: These schools' proficiency rates on the 2023 PARCC assessments (both PARCC 4+ and PARCC 3+) were 15.1 percentage points higher than those of other schools serving similar high-priority student populations.
11.5 Percentage Points Better Than Pre-Pandemic Averages: Their proficiency rates exceeded the pre-pandemic averages for schools with comparable demographics by 11.5 percentage points.
Leveraging these data-driven insights, EK12 then interviews the instructional leadership teams from each Bold Performance School to uncover the keys to their success and share takeaways from which LEAs can learn. EK12 has also recognized and celebrated our Bold Performance Schools leading the way at the Bold Schools Awards each year, and will host its 7th annual ceremony event this fall.
The 2023 Bold Performance Schools' achievements in math and reading demonstrate that DC's priority student groups can reach the ambitious goals set for them. With bold citywide objectives recognizing the importance of setting goals for students and a data-driven, cross-sector commitment to innovative strategies, DC is poised to move beyond COVID recovery and into a renaissance era where all students can thrive in an increasingly global labor market.
As DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee aptly stated, “DCPS’ 2023 Bold Performance Schools exceeded the high expectations set for our students’ recovery in math and reading—showcasing their commitment to academic excellence. These selections are a testament to our school leaders, teachers, and staff, who cultivate joyful learning environments and provide students with the support they need to thrive. DCPS is grateful for EmpowerK12’s work in helping the district move the needle forward to advance educational equity.”
What Comes Next for Bold Schools and Our Audacious Goals for Bold Improvement?
State test scores from District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE) released last week show nominal gains in achievement at the state level, and it's important to acknowledge that LEAs in DC are still grappling with challenges that have prevented them from reaching pre-pandemic levels.
Last year, the 2023 Bold Performance Schools Report assessed that at the current rate of improvement, reading proficiency will recover to 2019 pre-pandemic rates in the next 2-3 years, and math recovery may require another 4-6 years for some priority student groups.
In this context, EmpowerK12 asserts that a bold list of goals for students in school and innovative strategies are more crucial than ever. Here’s how we plan to harness the power of data and innovation to achieve these audacious goals:
Set Citywide Bold Goals: Collaborate with Bold School leaders to establish citywide bold goals that move beyond academic recovery and to an academic renaissance where student accomplishment in the arts, sciences, humanities, and technological coding complements dramatic improvement in math and reading skills.
Invest in Innovation and Research: Prioritize funding and support for innovation, particularly in mathematics, school climate, and increasing the number of effective instructional hours students receive. This support should allow educators to try new promising practices, learn when and how they work best quickly, spread bright spots, and know how to course-correct when strategies must be improved.
