Seven Keys and Why They Are Important for Student Success

By now most Oak Ridgers with some knowledge of our school system have heard the term “Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness” but exactly what are why? Following are my views on the Seven Keys.

The Seven Keys were designed by Oak Ridge Schools superintendent Bruce Borchers to measure academic progress. The measures were aligned to requirements of Race to the Top and Tennessee’s implementation of Common Core, TNCore. Yet the keys are more than just measurements of group academic progress. While they are applied at grade-kell levels, the Seven Keys were also designed to gauge the learning of every Oak Ridge student as they prepare to enter the global economy. I imagine today’s youth have it more difficult to prepare for and enter the workforce than their grandparents and quite possibly even their parents. Competition for jobs and higher education is at all time high. Whether a student seeks to attend college, enter a technical school or begin an apprenticeship straight from high school, each and every student must be prepared to the best of their ability, starting in the earliest grade. The measures have been designed such that deficiencies may be detected with interventions assigned. The Seven Keys were developed with consultations of teachers and parents via the Superintendent’s PTO/PTSO Council.

The bar is set high on the last four measures. Such goals inspire students and teachers to greater achievement and lead to continued high performance at Oak Ridge High School.

What Are the Keys

Key 1: All students’ Reading proficiency at or above grade level by the end of the third grade.

It is imperative children know how to read at grade level, or above. Successful pursuit of all other coursework depends on Johnny being able to read. All school systems in Tennessee have ground to make up in this area.

Key 2: All students’ Math proficiency at or above grade level by the end of the fourth grade.

Ability to perform math in daily life is imperative and it is becoming more so as the digital world expands. All students including those entering vocational careers will need to use mathematics on a daily basis.

When students fall behind in math in early grades it is hard to catch up without intervention. So it is important to raise the bar for teachers, students and parents to successful do well in Key 2.

Key 3: All students’ Math and English proficiency at or above grade level by the end of the sixth grade.

This key aligns with TNCore requirements. Further the measure recognizes some children may miss obtaining keys 1 or 2 and offers time for response to instruction and intervention (RTI).

Key 4: All students meeting EXPLORE’s “College Readiness” by the end of eighth grade.

EXPLORE is designed to provide students with an understanding of the academic readiness for college or the workplace in the context of the post-high school educational and career options they are considering. The results can be used to help students identify their academic strengths and weaknesses as they make decisions for high school and beyond.

In 2011, less than fifteen percent of Tennessee seniors were college ready though that percentage was higher at Oak Ridge High School. Oak Ridge Schools does not wait until ninth-grade to prepare for college but begins that process with the first three keys and continues the preparation daily. You can read more about EXPLORE and college readiness standards here.

While it is desirable all eighth-graders met the grade-level college readiness standards there could be some students that do not. Results of EXPLORE may be directly used to areas for student improvement and needed intervention. The results may also be indicators of college or career paths.

Key 5: All students scoring an ACT composite of 27 or higher.

This measure is a much lofty goal.

Key 6: All students are fluent in financial literacy by high school graduation.

Like mathematics, being able to navigate in even basic financial waters is key to becoming and remaining financially secure.

Key 7: All students participate in AP coursework, dual enrollment, industry certification military preparation program by graduation.

I love this key. It shows the high bar set for teachers and staff at Oak Ridge High School. Successful attainment of this key annually will demonstrate the efforts made by our high school students! That in turn will point to where our high school students can go, if they are committed to pursuit of their career, either after high school or college.

So we see the Seven Keys cover the complete primary and secondary education timeline. The measures were founded on the premise that resources must be applied at the primary grades starting with kindergarten. Should Key 3 fail then there is greater chance of not reaching Keys 4 through 7. Reading and math proficiency are absolutely necessary to reach the goal of Key 4.

I trust you can see how each key builds on previous keys. These measures are not mere buzzwords, slogans or gimmicks. They were laid out with careful planning, analyzing and communications. I believe the term “Keys” was initially, at least in concert with the superintendent, coined by the PTA/PTSO Council.

Results of Seven Keys, 2012-13 School Year

Following represent my understanding of the measures obtained for the previous school year. My comments do not necessarily reflect those of the superintendent or official school understanding.

Key 1

In order to meet this key 76-100% of students in Oak Ridge must test in the TCAP proficient reading level or higher as determined by TCAP. The baseline for 2013-14 was 56.2%. The test results showed a decline to 53.7%. There is work to do here but this definitely shows the need to track performance.

Key 2

In order to meet this key 76-100% of students in Oak Ridge must test in the TCAP proficient math level or higher as determined by TCAP. The baseline for 2013-14 was 47.4%. The test results showed a decline to 47.4%. That decline is concerning but partially explained by changing curriculum to a Common Core based one. Hopefully RTI has been or is bring set up in the elementary math area.

Key 3

In order to meet this key 76-100% of students in Oak Ridge must test in the TCAP proficient reading level or higher and 50-100% must test in the TCAP proficient math level (6th grade) or higher as determined by TCAP. The baseline for 2013-14 was 48.9% for reading and 26.9% for math.

The results for both measures show increases, reading to 51.6% and math to 44.9% (18-point jump). Results of Key 3 suggest hope for current rising 4th and 5th graders.

Key 4

Students in Oak Ridge middle schools have previously outperformed the state average on the EXPLORE exam. In 2012-13 the baseline was 33.2% ACT’s established midpoint). In 2013-14 the schools showed a rise of 8.2% to 41.4%! That means 41.4% of eighth-grade students in last year’s classed passed four of the EXPLORE benchmarks. The national average in 2012-13 was 16%. Teachers and students of Jefferson and Robertsville -outstanding!

Key 5

The target (all students making 27 or higher) has all students making the in the midpoint range on the ACT test, that being 23-27. The baseline from 2012-13 was 22.6% composite score. The average composite increased to 23.3 well outpacing the state average 19.8. This accomplishment, and those for previous years, should be celebrated! They are testaments to our teachers at ORHS.

Key 6

Oak Ridge Schools has defined proficient in financial literacy as a grade of C or better in the course Personal Finance and with a goal of 95 to 100% of students having made a C or better. The baseline from 2012-2013 was 94%. In 2013-14 the percentage of students proficient slightly dropped to 92.2%.

Key 7

The baseline for 2013-14 of high school students participating in dual enrollment, AP courses or an industry certification program was 69%. During the year, 74% participated in one or more of the three. That was an increase and a nice accomplishment but I know the goal or vision is between 95 to 100%. Oak Ridge Schools are in talks with local companies, possibly with union representatives and our military about helping the high school expand vocational offerings and add high school ROTC. With even more offerings the vision of Key 7 would be within reach in a short time.

What Do These Results Mean

I must leave it to educational professionals at the school system and state to interpret the results and needs but I have some layman’s summary.

Results (referred to as a “scorecard” by Dr. Borchers) show continued nice performance at high school and improvement at middle schools. There is much to do for the first 2 keys to be considered successful and results of the math component of Key 3 should be improved. This points too need for substantial and long-term intervention in grades 1 through 3 in reading and 1-6 in math. Providing sustained intervention in the early grades will fortify the already good results being obtained at the secondary level. Oak Ridge Schools has an expanding diverse student body with as many as fifty percent qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Students in that demographic are more at risk for underperforming but it is not the fault of students. Our teachers have long worked hard. Increasing support for intervention (RTI) and other support should have directly related and immediate benefits and long term dividends.

I have shown how “Seven Keys” is most useful on tracking student learning results and progress. Results obtained from “Seven Keys” are real of obtainable on no less than an annual frequency. Those results may be used to determine future classroom needs and interventions and could be a tool to assist budgeting.

I have heard a few people ask why the term “Seven Keys?” Call these measures performance indices, learning benchmarks or a term that may suit you best but the measures truly represent keys to the future of our students starting in elementary. They provide teachers, administration and the Board of Education opportunities if observe progress and to apply timely resources where needful. I refer to them as they are, Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness.