Jackson Free Press

In education, asking even a very simple question leads to a complex answer. For example, if a parent wants to know, "How is my child's school doing?," the principal can pull out reams of data, talk about disaggregation, and describe achievement models until the parent is completely confused and left without any useful information. Parents want to be sure that their children will be prepared for college and the workplace. The typical way to measure school performance is to examine student performance on standardized tests. The theory is that if students can perform well on these tests, the school must have the processes, programs and personnel in place to accelerate student achievement. In other words, the school must be doing something right if they are getting good results.

However, it is important that parents also understand that there are many factors that make a school successful and should understand these data points as well. This is particularly important for schools that are struggling or, conversely, on the verge of becoming a great school because examining these additional factors can help reveal the school's strengths and weaknesses. Addressing the strengths and weaknesses through strategic planning is necessary to improve student learning outcomes.

In addition to test scores, parents and communities need to understand graduation rates, financial data, and measures that demonstrate leadership and teacher quality. It is important to know how many National Board Certified teachers are teaching in your local schools and how many are teaching out of field. It is important to know if your district is taking full advantage of all funding opportunities available, including those from local, state, federal and private foundation sources. It is important to know the attendance records of board members at board meetings.

The Legislative Task Force on Underperforming Schools and Districts felt strongly that parents, as well as other community members, should be provided a full picture of the performance of their schools and districts, showing both the successes and shortcomings. That is why they have included in the Children First Act of 2009 a requirement that school districts present a report to the public that is published in the local newspaper, posted on the district Web site and available in a printed format. The Task Force also believed it was important to balance the depth of information with ease of understanding and recommended that the State Board prescribe the exact format and information required in the report.

The public schools belong to all of us. Because of this, public schools should be transparent and provide information that is easily accessible and understandable. We all contribute to their success and failures, both through our actions and sometimes through our inaction. We all have a role to play in helping our local schools succeed. Having complete information can help guide us in what that role should be. I encourage everyone to keep abreast of what is going on in your local schools and find a way to use your talents, experiences and resources to help the schools improve.

We all benefit when our schools succeed. Good schools help attract and retain business and industry, improve economic development and the quality of life. Standing behind them in a strong way doesn't just benefit the schools; it benefits all of us.

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