A School's Grade Plummets, and Parents are Confused

When parents at Public School 363 in NY saw their report to a D from B the year before were shocked. How had test scores fallen so fast in such a short period of time. As their looked at the schools they were measure against, they found they had been compared to schools (some) five times the enrolllment. 363 is just a small school with an enrollment of 271 students, prek -6th. Half of the students are black or Hispanic, where roughly 1/3 qualify for free lunch. There were definitely other schools who served many more poor students than 363. Officials claimed the grouping was fair, however 363 failed to keep up. How could 80% of 363 students pass math and 70% English on standardized tests in the previous spring and not improve? NYC broke with the one-size-fits all philosoph and not only are school held accountable for progress at every achievement level, but high-performing school are penalized if they do not reach even higher! The grades in each caegory are based largely on how one school fares ocmpared to others serving student of similar backgrounds as well as those citywide. It is difficult to rationale because even though 363 received an F on student progress because the percentage of gains were relatively small, they receive a C on performance, yet scored better than average citywide, however, its "peer' school scored higher. The peer comparison system, in this instance, works against 363 because there are no, or not enough, parallels between the schools in their peer group. An analysis (data) showed that if peer comparasions were removed many schools would receive different grades, and not just those on the lower end of the spectrum. I woud have to agree with critics of this system in that this sets lower expectations for school serving more disadvantaged populations. In Texas, the basic rule is that schools that educate a high portion of special education students are not penalized because sped. scores are lower. The Texas system also says that each school should strive to do as well as the best school in the city, but not foucs on beating out it's peer school. This sounds like a fairer approach to me. I love the word STRIVE used here! The system in NY does not have a way to take into account the rapid shift in demographics in the younger grades...half of that population is either black or Hispanic, poor, special education or new to English and 58% in grades 3-6 took the standardized test.

A School's Grade Plummets, and Parents are Confused

Creating Your Own Text Sets

Share your text sets here. Explain what subject and what topic you are covering. Then give a detailed list of titles, articles, encyclopedia entries, blogs, etc. you will include. Include links to websites where possible.

Living as a Struggling Reader

In class this afternoon, you will read a peice that is going to push you as a reader. Use this space to blog about your feelings as a true struggling, not reluctant, but struggling reader.