Introduction to the APR

Introduction to the Annual Performance Report

The Annual Performance Report (APR) is a tool to help each participating Smaller Learning Communities grantee improve its understanding of the effectiveness of its strategies and is also used by the Department of Education to collect information about the success of the program.

The measures of effectiveness and success are built from program data. The primary data are gathered from each participating school, which is to complete the APR Reporting Form in the Excel Workbook provided to each grantee. As the figure below shows, data for this report are gathered on: 1) student demographics, 2) SLC strategies used by the school, and 3) student outcomes.

The Annual Performance Report for each school participating in the SLC grant allows the school to report on the first three items in the figure. Each District will aggregate and analyze the data from its participating schools, resulting in the District-Level Report. Step number 4 above leads to the narrative section of the District-Level Report, involving reflection on the data collected. The grantee and its participating schools may decide to modify their SLC strategies based on the lessons learned from implementing and evaluating them.

Part A Individual School Performance Report

1. Student Information
        a. Enrolled in the School
        b. Involved in SLC

2. SLC Strategies and Structures

3. Student Outcomes
        a. Statewide assessments from school report cards:
        (Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics Scores)
             a-1. Reading/Language Arts
             a-2. Mathematics

        b. Graduation rate
        d. Placement rate
        e. Other outcome measures

Part B District Level Report

1. Data
2. Project Status Narrative

        a. Executive Summary
        b. Program Objectives
        c. Lessons Learned and Planned Adjustments
        d. Budget information