Published: June 26, 2009 01:43 pm      

Edmond School District aims high for students

EDMOND — Success is defined in Webster’s as “the gaining of something desired, planned or attempted.” Edmond Public Schools defines success, ultimately, in terms of positive impacts of schooling experiences that enhance students’ potential for “success” in life. While there obviously are numerous factors outside of “school” that affect students’ overall growth, the intellectual content and life lessons gained through formal education are significant to the development of our young people.

Students’ academic successes often are measured in terms of their abilities to meet established standards and benchmarks that are evaluated on standardized tests. We also gauge effectiveness based upon the quality and competitiveness of students’ participation in co-curricular activities and the degree to which they demonstrate readiness for collegiate participation upon graduating from high school.

Consider the impressive recent accomplishments noted below:

• The Edmond district’s Academic Performance Index has consistently been the highest among 6A school districts. Referred to as “API,” the index is the state’s quantification of school districts’ academic strength on a scale of 0-1500. The most recent API earned by EPS, based upon academic indicators from school year 2007-08, is 1449 — which is 24 points higher than the next highest 6A school district’s performance index.

• With the most recent addition last year, eight Edmond Schools, among which are elementary, middle and high schools, have now been named “National Blue Ribbon Schools” by the U.S. Department of Education — the greatest number among Oklahoma school districts.

• The EPS district total composite on the ACT for 2008 is 23.3 — up .4 from the prior year composite. All three Edmond high schools posted gains compared to the 2007 performance, with North’s 23.9 the state’s highest total composite among non-residential and open population, comprehensive schools.

• EPS seniors of 2008 comprised the largest group of Oklahoma Academic Scholars of any Oklahoma school district — with 226 students recognized last spring. Academic Scholars must earn at least a 3.7 GPA, a 27 or higher ACT composite score, and course credits that meet or exceed the ACT recommended core.

• The EPS senior class of 2009 includes 23 students who have been named National Merit Semi-finalists.

• Edmond students’ participation in Advanced Placement courses and attainment of passing scores on AP tests is unsurpassed in Oklahoma, with our teens earning 1,521 passing scores in 2008. These rigorous courses help prepare students for higher education, and most universities award advanced credit for related collegiate courses when proficiency is demonstrated on AP test performance.

• Final athletic standings for 2007-08 placed our three Edmond high schools third, fourth and sixth highest among Oklahoma’s 6A schools.

• The Oklahoma Regents College Remediation Report released in March reveals that Edmond high school graduates entering Oklahoma colleges and universities as freshmen have the lowest rate for required remedial course work among 6A school district graduates — and among the lowest remediation rates for all Oklahoma schools regardless of size. The overall district average is 13 percent, compared to a statewide average of 36.9 percent. Considering that many EPS graduates attend colleges and universities outside of Oklahoma, the remediation rate for all college-bound freshmen is lower than noted within this report.

These achievements reflect positively upon our young people, their schools and upon the Edmond community. And I would emphasize community, for it really does take all of us working together on behalf of our children to support and nurture high levels of student achievement. “Congratulations!” to our hard-working students and teachers, and “Thanks Edmond!” for the enduring commitment in support of our young people.



DAVID GOIN is superintendent of Edmond Public Schools. He was named 2008 Administrator of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators.