Tim Wormald

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Powell schools continued to perform well on the state’s standardized test during the 2022-2023 school year.

Several student cohorts saw double digit increases in the last three years on the WY-TOPP, and when compared to similar school districts, Powell is only behind Sheridan School District 2 in overall WY-TOPP performance. 

“I continue to be exceptionally proud of the work of our teachers. Every adult in the school system contributes to the success of our students,” Superintendent Jay Curtis said. 

Powell’s fifth grade class increased its English Language Arts (ELA) scores 15% from the initial testing as third graders, while this year’s sixth grade class saw a 25% increase in ELA scores and a 10% in math scores over the last three years. Increases were also seen in fifth grade math, eighth grade math and ninth grade ELA.

Statewide, overall student proficiency inched forward in English Language Arts (0.5%), Math (0.7%) and Science (1%) from 2021-2022’s WY-TOPP results. But, ELA experienced a slight grade level decline in fourth through seventh grade scores and math experienced a similar decline in fourth and ninth grade, according to a September Wyoming Department of Education release. 

Despite overall increases the scores are still 1%-2% below pre-pandemic scores.

Powell was ahead of the state average scores for proficient and advanced students by 10% or more in 11 of 19 categories and even with the state in seven categories. The district lagged closely behind the state average of 55% in seventh grade ELA with a district score of 54% being proficient and advanced.

Powell saw a decrease in six cohorts over the past three years, including a 10% decrease in 2022-2023 seventh grade ELA, a 15% decrease in ninth grade math, a 15% decrease in 10th grade ELA and a 27% decrease in 10th grade math. Science, which is tested in fourth, eighth and 10th grade, saw a decline from 63% to 46% beginning in the 2020-2021 school year.

While Powell is still close to or above the state after declines, efforts have been made to aid student growth. 

In response to seventh grade ELA scores, Powell Middle School Principal Kyle Rohrer organized a Professional Learning Community collaborative with school districts in the Big Horn Basin. There has also been a focus on collaboration between grade levels and the addition of three paras, which extends to math.

While Powell Middle and Powell High have seen its math scores decline, the district’s scores are still higher than the state average and decline in math proficiency has been seen nationwide. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures fourth, eighth and 12th grade students in math, reading, science and writing. Only scores for fourth and eighth grade students were available for the 2022 academic year. At the national level Wyoming is one of 15 states  where fourth graders are significantly higher than the national public in math proficiency with 44% of its students at or above proficiency. At the eighth grade level Wyoming is one of 16 states that is significantly higher than the national public with 26% proficiency. 

“We have a lot of support for students who struggle academically,” said Tim Wormald, Powell High School principal. “This year, we have bolstered our intervention system and have added a lunch-time study hall as well as an after school academic lab that is staffed by a certified teacher and a para educator.”

A similar approach has been taken at Powell Middle School where Principal Kyle Rohrer said changes have been made to increase instructional time for students. For example, during 10th period students who need more assistance in math will have access to math teacher Cody Kalberer in a smaller setting. Other changes included fresh fruits or vegetables that students have access to following the fourth period.