Context

Larimer County, Colorado

Situated in Northern Colorado, Larimer County is one of the largest counties in the state of
Colorado, housing several different school districts including Poudre School district. Overall,
Larimer County shows a desire for quality education. According to COMPASS of Larimer County
in 2013:

Students in Larimer County generally score higher than the state average on
standardized tests.
According to the 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, approximately
43% of Larimer County residents held a bachelors degree or higher.
On average, 53% of Larimer Countys 3-and-4 year olds attended preschool between
2006 and 2011, compared to 46% of Colorados 3-and 4-year olds and 47% of the
nations 3-and 4-year olds
Since 2006, the general trend has been fewer Thompson and Park School District
students graduating from high school; however, Poudre School District has seen an
increase in high school graduation rates.
(COMPASS 2013)

However, despite the desire for a quality education, in 2013 registered voters in Fort Collins
voted down Amendment 66, which would provide schools within the county with more funds
through an income tax increase. With 99% of the registered voters reporting, 64.9% voted
down the Amendment.
In the last few years, Larimer County has also seen an increase in population. Since the 2010
census, which revealed a total population of 143,986 persons (Census), the overall population of
the county increased 19%; the census also revealed in increase in Hispanic student enrollment
in Larimer Public Schools. (COMPASS 2013)
Results for reading scores for 2012-2013 Larimer County Schools
Academic
Year

Subject
Name

2013

Reading

2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013

Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading

Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska
Native
Asian
Black
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Hispanic
Two or More Races
Unreported/ Not Applicable

N Count
Proficiency

Percent Proficient
Advanced

134

64.18

675
286
35
4,354
742
N<16

85.19
63.99
65.71
55.97
82.21
-

2013
Reading
White
(Indicators Report 2013)

18,964

82.36

Outside of educational statistics, Fort Collins is also home to many business, 14,925 according
to the Census Bureau. Some of the larger, well known businesses include Agilent Technologies,
Hewlett Packard, Woodward Governor, and Anheuser-Busch.
Lincoln Middle World IB School
The context for this yearlong plan is Lincoln Middle World IB School. Located in Northeast Fort Collins, Lincoln Middle School, or Lincoln is one of ten middle schools located in the
Poudre School District. The mission statement of the school is The Place to Be, a phrase
meant to emphasize the sense of acceptance and belonging Lincoln expects all students to
exhibit. Lincoln follows the Common Core State Standards, and provides classes in eight
different areas including; Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, Art, etc. as well as
numerous clubs, and extra-curricular activities. Lincoln is also part of the International
Baccalaureate (IB) program, giving students the opportunity to gain a global perspective in their
academic pursuits. Additionally, the English department of Lincoln Middle School consists of
five full-time teachers spread amongst the three grade levels. (Lincoln Middle School)
Classroom
Although Lincoln is a, moderately, large school, this class, 8th grade Honors English, is of a
relatively small size, containing a total of twenty-six students. Out of those students, fifteen are
male while the remaining eleven are girls. Demographically speaking, the classroom is made up
of mostly racial minorities, dominantly Hispanic. Additionally, twenty-three of the twenty-six
students belong to racial minorities representing 88% of the class. Like most classes, this class
houses a range of different abilities and learning styles.

Research Base:

Indicators Report
o http://elm.cde.state.co.us/cognos8bi/cgibin/cognos.cgi?b_action=cognosViewer&ui.action=run&ui.object=%2fcontent%2f
folder[%40name%3d%27Colorado%20Growth%20Model%20Summary%20Data%
27]%2freport[%40name%3d%27SchoolView%20Data%20Lab%20Report%27]&ui.
name=SchoolView%20Data%20Lab%20Report&run.outputFormat=&run.prompt
=true#
Lincoln Middle School
o https://lin.psdschools.org/
Larimer County Compass
o http://www.larimer.org/compass/community_indicators_report_2013.pdf
Denver Post Election Results 2013
o http://www.denverpost.com/election2013/ci_24459348/colorado-electionresults-2013
State of Colorado Census Information
o http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/0827425.html
Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
o http://www.fortcollinschamber.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=MajorEmploye
rsIndustries&category=BusinessInfo&submenu=EmploymentResources