1. Peer Schools Overview • VDOE contracted with research group to develop a methodology for grouping demographically similar schools • Why? • School leaders can compare their student outcomes in schools that serve similar student populations; • Identify where (i.e., in what schools) to look for promising practices that are making a difference for students in schools serving similar populations; and • Create a community of learners to focus improvement efforts for schools serving similar student populations.

2. Methodology • 13 of 61 input variables selected based on quality and fit statistics • Cluster analysis performed on schools with stakeholder feedback for validation

3. Example Output

4. Interpreting Scatter Plots How the school compares to other peer schools across the state How the school compares to other schools in the division

5. EXAMPLE Public Schools:Standards of Learning (SOL) Test Performance Among Peer and Division Schools

6. 2014-15 SOL English Pass Rates Elementary Schools Partially Accredited: Approaching Partially Accredited: Improving School – Pass Rate Partially Accredited: Warned School – Pass Rate Fully Accredited

7. 2014-15 SOL Math Pass Rates Elementary Schools Partially Accredited: Approaching Partially Accredited: Improving School – Pass Rate Partially Accredited: Warned School – Pass Rate Fully Accredited

8. 2014-15 SOL English Math Pass Rates Middle Schools Partially Accredited: Approaching Partially Accredited: Improving School – Pass Rate Partially Accredited: Warned School – Pass Rate Fully Accredited

9. Schools Not Fully Accredited by Subject