Proficiency scores are important because they show where students are scoring academically compared to their peers. It is also important to look at growth and how much students grow academically from one year to the next. According to the Colorado Department of Education, “The calculations use all available test scores to estimate an individual growth score, or student growth percentile. The student growth percentile tells us how a student’s current test score compares with that of other similar students (students across the state whose previous test scores are similar). This process can be understood as a comparison to members of a student’s academic peer group.” A growth score of 50 represents typical growth at the state level. Knowing that a majority of students in the Jefferson Area start school behind in learning, it is essential that growth scores are above 50 so students can catch up to their peers.

Below are the growth scores on CMAS for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math: