By  Colton Elsen  |  Feb 5, 2026     SaveTheTrimesters.org

This page presents an updated review of Kansas State Assessment results from 2015 to 2025, comparing Council Grove’s average performance to that of other schools over time. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a long-term, data-driven perspective on student outcomes rather than focusing on any single testing year.

Individual test results can be influenced by short-term factors such as staffing changes or curriculum adjustments. By examining multi-year averages, clearer patterns emerge that better reflect overall instructional conditions.

How the Data Was Analyzed

Kansas State Assessment data from 2015 through 2025 were reviewed, and Council Grove’s averages were compared directly to those of other schools. The focus of this analysis is on trends across multiple years, which offers a more accurate understanding of performance than isolated data points.

This approach is intended to provide context, consistency, and transparency when discussing student achievement.

What the Results Show

Council Grove’s assessment results show a mixed performance profile. In math, Council Grove consistently outperforms most of the other schools. In English Language Arts, performance has remained below that of the other schools.

These outcomes highlight the importance of examining academic data alongside the instructional and structural conditions that influence it.

Scheduling and Academic Outcomes

One common misconception in education discussions is that a school’s schedule alone determines test scores. Whether a district operates on semesters or trimesters, the schedule functions as a framework rather than a guarantee of outcomes.

Student achievement is shaped by instructional continuity, curriculum alignment, teacher experience, access to intervention or enrichment, and the time required to establish a consistent instructional rhythm. While scheduling can support effective teaching and learning, it cannot compensate for instability or frequent disruption.

English Language Arts: Important Context

English Language Arts remains one of Council Grove’s most challenging areas, and the assessment data reflects several contributing factors.

An English enrichment course was introduced only this year, meaning students assessed in prior years did not benefit from targeted skill support or remediation. Enrichment programs typically take multiple years before their impact appears in assessment results.

In addition, frequent changes in English teaching staff have made it difficult to establish consistent curriculum pacing and long-term instructional strategies. Stability in staffing is essential for sustained improvement, particularly in skill-based subjects like reading and writing.

Interpreting the Data Moving Forward

The goal of publishing these updated assessment results is not to assign blame or reduce performance to a single policy decision. Instead, the intent is to provide transparent context and a realistic understanding of what long-term improvement requires.

Recent instructional changes represent meaningful steps forward, but system-level gains occur gradually. Assessment results reflect sustained structures and consistency over time, not short-term adjustments.

As new data becomes available, future updates will provide additional insight into how recent supports and instructional changes are influencing student outcomes.

Why Trimesters Remain the Best Schedule

Assessment data should be interpreted within the context of long-term instructional systems, not attributed to a single structural factor. While test scores are shaped by many variables, the trimester schedule continues to provide the strongest framework for supporting student learning.

Trimesters allow students to concentrate on fewer courses at a time, support instructional depth, and create flexibility for intervention, enrichment, and acceleration within the same school year. When paired with stable staffing and aligned curriculum, this structure helps schools respond to student needs more effectively.

No schedule alone determines outcomes, but trimesters remain the most adaptable and student-centered option for promoting long-term academic growth.