Education StatusArkansas and the Northwest

Region

OEP is a research center within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas that specializes in

Education Research and Policy.www.uark.edu/ua/oep

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Overview

Arkansas• State Strengths: 2011 Quality Counts Report

• Assessment Success: NAEP Standardized Testing

• Achievement Gaps: Demographics, FRL

Northwest Region• The “Big 5” Districts• Assessment Success: Benchmark Standardized Testing

• Achievement Gaps: Demographics, FRL

• Regional Features: Postsecondary Schooling and Expenditures

Quality Counts: 2011 ReportState Strengths

• AR ranks 6th nationally with an overall grade of B-(81.4)

• Overall grade is higher than the national average of C+(76.3) and greater than the surrounding states average of C- to C+

• AR received an A (94.4%) on the Standards, Assessments, and Accountability category regarding educational policy measures

• AR earned a B+ in the teaching Profession and ranks 2nd nationally

*The overall EdWeek ranking system is subject to criticism

State Demographics

Black21%

His-panic

9%

Other5%

White

65%

K-12 AR Demographics2010

*Other includes Asian, 2 or more races, Native Alaskan, Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

Black24%

His-panic

1%

Other1%

White74%

K-12 AR Demographics1993

Hispanic students

*2009 Data*CCD Common Core of Data, US Department of Education, State Profiles

• The state’s enrollment for Hispanic students is below the national average

• The state’s enrollment for LEP/ELL students is below the national average

AR US (average)0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

41,096

205,035

Total enrollment: 2009 Hispanic students

Hispanic students enrolled

AR US (average)0

20,00040,00060,00080,000

100,000

27,634

85,354

LEP/ELL Students enrolled

LEP/ELL Students enrolled

LEP/ELL Students are in appropriate programs of language assistance (e.g., English as a Second Language, High Intensity Language Training, bilingual education).

Standardized Testing: NAEPNational Assessment for Educational Progress

• Also known as “The Nation’s Report Card”

• The largest nationwide assessment of what students know in various academic subjects

• Exams are administered and collected uniformly across the nation; allowing for comparison of national, state and long term academic progress, including trends over time

Recent NAEP results show that ELL students, English Language Learners, performed at a level 3% higher in NWA than ELL students nationally!

NAEP Mathematics

Grade 4: National Math Scores

2003 2005 2007 20090%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

26%34%

37% 36%31%35% 39% 39%

AR US

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

• AR continues to fall just below the national average

• AR saw a slight decrease in the percentage of proficient and advanced scores

• Similar in Gr 8

NAEP Reading

Grade 8: National Reading Scores

2003 2005 2007 20090%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

27% 26% 25% 27%

31% 29% 29% 31%

AR US

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

• Both the Nation and State are seeing rising reading scores

• AR continues to show scores just below the national average

• Similar in Gr 4

Achievement Gaps

Areas of Concern • Racial Gap between majority and minority students

Measured by NAEP performance for White, Black and Hispanic students

• Poverty Gap between students eligible for FRL and students not eligibleMeasured by NAEP performance for students eligible and not eligible for FRL

*FRL = Free and Reduced Lunch

There are a variety of reasons for achievement gaps in AR but the disadvantages for low-income and minority students cannot be ignored. AR policy makers are focused on improving educational outcomes for all

children, regardless of their income, race or geographic location.

Racial Achievement Gap

AR Gap 2005 2007 2009White/Hispanic 17 pts 24 pts 20 ptsWhite/ Black 32 pts 34 pts 34 pts

AR Gap 2005 2007 2009White/ Hispanic 13 pts 23 pts 19 pts

White/ Black 24 pts 22 pts 26 pts

NAEP: Grade 4 Math NAEP: Grade 8 Math

*The racial achievement gap between Arkansas students continues to widen

2005 2007 20090%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

42%46% 46%

25%22%

26%

10%12% 12%

White Hispanic Black

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

2005 2007 20090%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

28%31%

34%

15%8%

15%

4%9% 8%

White Hispanic Black

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

Poverty Achievement Gap: NAEP Performance

NAEP: Grade 4 Math NAEP: Grade 8 Math

AR Gap 2005 2007 2009

Non-Poverty/Poverty 27 pts 30 pts 32 pts

AR Gap 2005 2007 2009

Non-Poverty/Poverty 17 pts 21 pts 25 pts

*The poverty achievement gap between is growing as scores for disadvantaged students remain flat while scores for their more affluent peers are improving a bit

2005 2007 20090%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%49%

54% 55%

22%24% 23%

Non-Poverty StudentsPoverty Students

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

2005 2007 20090%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

30%35%

40%

13% 14% 15%

Non-Poverty StudentsPoverty Students

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

A bit of good news!

Achievement Gaps – 2009 AR v. US

AR US0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%

12% 16%26% 22%

46% 51%

Black Hispanic White

% P

rofic

ient

/ Adv

ance

d

NAEP: Grade 4 Math

• Hispanic Students outperformed their peers across the country on the same exam

AR US0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%

23% 22%

55% 54%

Poverty Non-Poverty

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d• AR poverty students and non-poverty students outperformed national peers on the same exam

NAEP: Grade 4 Math

Remediation Rates• A remedial student is a first-time entering student who does not meet the board’s cut-off

score (on ACT, SAT, Compass and ASSET tests); and is being assigned to developmental-level academic coursework.

• 2010 AR Remediation rate is 52.5%• Full time students have substantially lower remediation rates• The Remediation rate for math, English and reading have decreased

2009 20100%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%76% 77%

55% 53%40% 38%

2 year colleges AR public colleges 4 year colleges

% re

med

iate

d

This report focuses on “anytime” remediation rates, in which the high school graduation date is ignored*Percentages may be rounded

2010 Fall Term Anytime Remediation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

State Recap• Positive news from the 2011 Quality Counts Report, which gave AR a B- and a ranking of 6th nationally

• AR students continue to fall just below the national average on NAEP standardized testing

• The achievement gaps, both racial and poverty, between AR students continue to widen

• AR poverty, non-poverty and Hispanic students outperformed their US peers on the same exam

There are fifteen different school districts that make up the NWA region. The focal point for this report are the “Big 5” districts, considering the attendance is the majority of NWA students.

Northwest Arkansas

The “Big 5” Districts

• Bentonville• Fayetteville• Rogers• Siloam Springs• Springdale

*Other NWA districts include Decatur, Elkins, Farmington, Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, Lincoln, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and West Fork.

The “Big 5” Districts of NWA

* The ADE reports the 2010 NWA total enrollment: 72,826 students *Other NWA districts include Decatur, Elkins, Farmington, Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, Lincoln, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and West Fork.

Bentonville19%

Rogers19%

Siloam Springs5%

Fayetteville12%

Springdale26%

Other NWA districts

19%

2010 Enrollment: NWA School Districts

• In 2010, NWA students made up 15% of all Arkansas students

• In 2004, NWA students made up 13% Of all Arkansas students

NWA Diversity

•Percentages may be rounded

Bentonvill

e

Faye

tteville

Rogers

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

Arkansas

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

17%

26%

44%

33%

52%

33% 33%26%

36%

57%

49%

56%

47%54%

Minority students FRL students

% M

inor

ity/F

RL

Minority and FRL students: 2009 NWA Districts

• Rogers school district shows the highest percentage of FRL students

• Springdale school district shows the highest percentage of Minority students

• AR and NWA show an equal percentage of minority students (AR largest minority group: Black) (NWA largest minority group: Hispanic)

NWA Hispanic Students

*2010 Data*Arkansas Department of Education, enrollment per district*percentages may be rounded

Bentonville

Fayettev

ille

Rogers

Siloam Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdale

Big 5 Distric

ts

All NW

A Distric

ts

Arkansas0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

7% 9%

40%

23%

41%

30%23%

9%

2010 NWA Enrollment: % Hispanic

% Hispanic

• Springdale has the largest percentage of Hispanic students, while Bentonville has the lowest

Arkansas Benchmark ExamsArkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) • Known as the Benchmark exams, a program with high academic standards, professional development, student assessment, and accountability on the schools’ behalf.

• The testing approach ensures that students are performing on grade level and communicates to schools what students should know. Results benefit the parent, educators and local policy makers.

• The state wide program has two main initiatives. The Smart Start Initiative focuses on grades K – 4 and The Smart Step Initiative which focuses on grades 5– 8; and education for grades 9-12 regarding writing, reading and mathematics.

Benchmark Test ScoresAR Benchmark Literacy Exam:

Elementary Average (Grades 3—5), 2009

AR Benchmark Math Exam: Middle School Average (Grades 6—8),

2009

Bentonvill

e

Faye

tteville

Rogers

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

Arkansas

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

82% 76% 74% 70% 63%72% 68%

% Proficient/Advanced

Bentonvill

e

Faye

tteville

Rogers

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

Arkansas

0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

88% 83% 77% 80%66%

78%69%

% Proficient/Advanced

NWA students, both Elementary and Middle School, outperform their state-wide peers

Achievement Gaps in NWA Areas of Concern

• Racial Gap between majority and minority students• Poverty Gap between students eligible for FRL and students not eligible

White students in NWA scored an average of 2 to 7 percentage points

higher than their peers across

the state

Black students in NWA performed 8 to 21 percentage

points higher than their

peers across the state

Hispanic students

in NWA and AR scored at similar levels, the

average was the same in middle

school math and elementary literacy

*AR Benchmark Test Performance serves as the measurement for achievement gaps *2009 Data

Elem. Scores by Racial Group, NWA

*If there were 10 or fewer students tested in a particular grade, the data were not included.

AR Benchmark Math Exam: Elementary Average (Grades 3—5), 2009

Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs

Springdale NWA Region Arkansas0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

78% 66%81%

55% 66%58%

81%66%

82% 73% 68% 73%72%

92% 88% 89% 87% 84% 86%83%

Black Hispanic White

% P

rofic

ient

/ Adv

ance

d

*If there were 10 or fewer students tested in a particular grade, the data were not included.

Middle Scores by Racial Group, NWA

AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Middle School Average (Grades 6—8), 2009

Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs

Springdale NWA Region Arkansas0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

80%

63% 60% 62% 66%

46%

73%70% 70%

60%

52% 62% 59%

86% 85% 84% 79% 80% 82%75%

Black Hispanic White

% P

rofic

ient

/ Adv

ance

d

Elem Scores by Poverty Group, NWA

8276 74 70

6372 6870

5666

5852

60 59

0102030405060708090

100

Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs

Springdale Northwest Arkansas

Arkansas

Perc

ent P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

Overall Average, All Students Free/Reduced Lunch Students

AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Average for Grades 3—5, 2009

NWA shows a slightly higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores overallFRL students in NWA outperform FRL students across the state

Middle Scores by Poverty Group, NWA

85 82 7973

6676

677163

7160

5264

56

0102030405060708090

100

Bentonville Fayetteville Rogers Siloam Springs

Springdale Northwest Arkansas

Arkansas

Perc

ent P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

Overall Average, All Students Free/Reduced Lunch Students

AR Benchmark Literacy Exam: Average for Grades 6—8, 2009

NWA shows a higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores than ARFRL students in NWA outperform FRL students across the state

End-Of-Course Exams• EOC exams are administered by the ACTAAP (AR Benchmark) and used to help evaluate the performance of high school students

• EOC exams are aligned to the standards contained within the Arkansas Mathematics and Science Curriculum Frameworks

• EOC exams include Algebra I, Geometry, 11th grade Literacy, and Biology

• NWA students outperform their state-wide peers on EOC exams

*For this report, the areas of focus are Algebra 1 and 11th Grade Literacy

11TH Grade Literacy Exam

Bentonvill

eRoge

rs

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Faye

tteville

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

State

85%68%

54%

71%57%

67%57%

EOC 11th Grade Literacy Exam: 2009 NWA Districts

% Proficient/Advanced 2009

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

The Grade 11 Literacy examination includes items that are aligned to the English Language Arts Curriculum Framework for Arkansas

• NWA students show a higher percentage of proficient and advanced scores than AR

Algebra 1 “High Stakes” Exam• A new state law was passed in 2010 requiring students to pass the Algebra 1 EOC exam to graduate high school

• This exam serves for both state and federal accountability, being the State’s first ever “High Stake” exam

Bentonvill

eRoge

rs

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Faye

tteville

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

State

92%75% 73%

86%70% 77%

71%

EOC Algebra 1 Exam: 2009

% Proficient/Advanced

% P

rofic

ient

/Adv

ance

d

The students have more than one opportunity to pass the exam, both additional tries and remediation are offered

• AP, or Advanced Placement courses are offered to high school students, providing preparation for college level courses

• If three points or higher is scored on the nationally coordinated AP placement exam students can earn college credits

• AP courses are a collaborative effort between students, teachers and educational institutions

AP Placement Exam

2009 AP Placement Exam Results

• NWA shows a higher percentage of passing exams

• NWA represents almost 10% of all AP exams taken in AR

• Fayetteville High School was named #1 in AP Scholars in Arkansas in 2008

Number of AP exams taken 5,305 31,232 Percent scoring 3, 4, or 5 (passing) 51% 30%

NWA Big 5 State

Graduation Rates

Bentonvill

e

Faye

tteville

Rogers

Siloam

Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdale

NWA Region

State

89%81% 82%

95%

81%84%

76%

Graduation Rates: 2008 NWA Districts

2008

% o

f gra

duat

es

• The NWA Graduation rate is 84%, eight percentage points higher than the state average

ACT American College Testing • The ACT is a national college admissions exam that tests English, mathematics, reading and science. This exam assures academic preparation needed for college level courses

• The test gives a comprehensive overview of educational assessments and is a great resource for educators

• Students are encouraged to take the test considering the benefits such as career planning, unique interest inventory and further educational planning

2009 National Average

21.1

2009 State Average

20.62008 NWA Average

22.6

ACT Average Composite Scores DISTRICT SCORE

Bentonville 23.1Fayetteville 24.1Rogers 22.3

Siloam Springs 22.0Springdale 22.7

NWA 22.6AR 20.6US 21.1

*2009 Data

• Each of the “Big 5” Districts in NWA have a higher ACT average than AR and the US

Remediation Rates: NWA Districts

This report focuses on “anytime” remediation rates, in which the high school graduation date is ignored*Percentages may be rounded *2009 Data

Bentonville

Fayettev

ille

Rogers

Sprin

gdale

Siloam Sprin

gs

Big 5 Dist

ricts

All NW

A Distric

ts

Arkansas0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

34%28%

43% 46% 45%39%

42%53%

% Remediated

% Remediated

• A remedial student is a first-time entering student who does not meet the cut-off score and is being assigned to developmental-level academic coursework.

• Good news, NWA school districts show over 10% less remediated students than the state

• Fayetteville shows the lowest percent of remediated students

High school graduates of NWA have a variety of postsecondary educational options. This report highlights the four major higher education institutions in the region.

Postsecondary Education

UAF University of Arkansas, Fayetteville • Offers more than 200 study programs, 87 bachelor’s degree programs in

74 fields of study • The Carnegie Foundation placed the UAF among the top 10 percent of

universities nationwide

NWACC Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville

• A public two year college that offers 5 transfer associate degree programs, preparing students for a 4 year college

• Provides to its service areas with a regional technology center in Fayetteville and the Washington Co. Center in Springdale

This report highlights the four major higher education institutions in the region.

Postsecondary Education UAFS University of Arkansas, Fort Smith

• Offers students 70 bachelor’s degree programs in seven colleges and more than 50 campus organizations.

• Also offers over 20 programs for technical and proficient certificates, from automotive to computer maintenance.

JBU John Brown University , Siloam Springs• Offers students 45 bachelor’s degree programs and 3 graduate programs in

business, counseling and ministry.• Ranked 2nd among southern regional colleges in the “U.S. News and World

Report: America’s Best Colleges” in 2011

More Local Options include NW Technical Institute in Springdale, University of Phoenix in Rogers, and Blue Cliff College in Fayetteville

Postsecondary Education

Enrollment for the four major postsecondary educational institutions of NWA.

UAF UAFS NWACC JBU0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,0002,1405

7,716 8,365

2,131

2009-2010 Enrollment: NWA colleges

Fall 2009 Fall 2010

Stud

ents

Enr

olle

d• NWA colleges are showing rising enrollment rates, especially UAF with over 21, 000 students last fall.

Total Expenditure Per Pupil

Bentonville

Fayettev

ille

Rogers

Siloam Sprin

gs

Sprin

gdaleNW

A AR $-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

8,318

10,376

8,330 8,310 8,150 8,883 8,677

Total Expenditure per pupil: 2009 NWA Districts

Total Expenditure per pupil

• The total expenditure per pupil is the dollar amount spent for the general education of each student

• The 2010 national expenditure per pupil is $ 10,297 (US department of Education)

*Data from 2009

NWA Teacher Salary

*Data from the 2010 Arkansas Education Report, OEP Analysis of Arkansas Teacher Salaries: State, Region, and District

Average salary for 2009

AR $47,472

NWA $47,266

US $51,359

• Teachers in NWA have a higher starting salary than the state average

• Teachers with a Master’s Degree and 15+ years of experience in NWA get paid almost $10,000 more than the AR average

• The average salary for NWA has increased from previous years but is still lower than both AR and the US

Bentonville Rogers Siloam Springs

Fayetteville Springdale NWA AR

$42,230 $41,300 $37,850

$41,310 $41,757 $41,430 $31,631

$51,811 $54,695 $46,549

$59,220 $54,795 $47,266 $47,472

$56,201 $55,976 $47,970

$56,253 $54,832 $55,215

$43,759

Teacher Salary: 2009 NWA Districts

MA + 15yrsAverage SalaryStarting Salary

NWA Teacher Salary

*Data from the 2010 Arkansas Education Report, OEP Analysis of Arkansas Teacher Salaries: State, Region, and District

• NWA students outperform their state-wide peers on standardized tests (this includes Benchmark, EOC and AP examinations)

• NWA ACT scores are higher than the both AR and the US average

• NWA Graduation rate is well above the state average

• Enrollment for NWA postsecondary educational institutions continues to increase

• Average NWA Teacher salary is lower than the state, but the starting salary and MA 15+ years is well above AR

Northwest Arkansas Recap

OEP is a research center within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas that specializes in

Education Research and Policy.www.uark.edu/ua/oep

• AR Education Reports

• Policy Briefs

• Report Cards

• Newsletters

• Data Resources