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Education Divided

Summit School District was placed on an improvement plan in 2022 following years of below-average test scores. Upon closer inspection, data showed that middle school English language learner scores in Summit landed in the 2nd percentile for the state. In this three-part series, we explore how the district’s data compares to other counties, why the district lost its footing, and how administrators plan to move forward under new leadership.


‘Still way behind where we need to be’: Officials express concern about Summit School District test scores

Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a three-part series looking into Summit School District’s 2021-22 test data.

Test scores from the 2021-22 school year have been released, and officials from the school district say scores aren’t where they should be — even though they’ve improved.

For the first time in over 10 years, the school district went from accredited to accredited with an improvement plan, according to the 2022 Colorado Department of Education’s performance framework rating. From 2021 to 2022, the school district dropped 11 percentage points in its performance rating, from 66% to 55%.

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‘What are we doing wrong?’: A closer look into Summit School District’s ‘unacceptable’ scores

Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a three-part series looking into Summit School District’s 2021-22 test data. This story has been updated to correct the vote not to renew Marion Smith Jr.’s contract as superintendent.

Milena Quiros is a bilingual woman, co-chair of the Summit School District Accountability Committee and parent of four children, all of whom have attended Summit schools. 

Test scores from the 2021-22 school year showed across the board that Summit students are performing below state average. Scores for English language learner students did not reach the “approached expectations” threshold. 

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‘We have big work to do’: Summit School District shares plan to better support English learners

Editor’s note: This is Part 3 of a three-part series looking into Summit School District’s 2021-22 test data.

Recently, Summit High School Hispanic or Latino students shared with Summit School District Superintendent, Tony Byrd, that more cultural and linguistic representation and celebration would have improved their education. 

A similar message was shared by Hispanic or Latino Summit middle schoolers who graduated from Summit’s bilingual elementary schools. 

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