The Indiana Department of Education released grades for all Indiana schools in a new format this year. But school officials have concerns.
The new assessment system ranks schools from A to F. State leaders touted the new grading system as a method in which people could easily understand. By doing so, however, local educators say it neglects the big picture.
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Long gone are the days of the three 'Rs' in education: reading, writing and arithmetic. These are the times of report card and reaction from Tri-State superintendents.
"I think people have a better understanding," said Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider. "An A is better than a B, a B is better than a C. It's going to be easier for the public to understand but it's far from a perfect way to judge."
"The school's performance, the child's performance, can't be relegated to the efforts on a single standardized test," said EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith.
If given the opportunity, both men would take a red pen to the state's new school assessment system.
This comes despite Warrick County schools faring well and EVSC schools faring not so well.
Ten Warrick County schools received As. Fifteen EVSC schools received Fs. Educators say it's unfair to compare the two systems facing different challenges.
And that's the problem.
The new system compares student's ISTEP scores to other students in the state. Both superintendents won't dispute the grades bbut they will dispute the grading.
"We caution our parents and community members to look at those scores," said Schneider. "Take them for what they are worth. They are just one part, one piece of evidence as to what makes a great school. They are not the end all."
"It's very discouraging, disheartening," said Dr. Smith. "Teachers know and parents know their kids are getting a great education at the schools the state wants to label as inferior."
You won't find complacency in the halls. And you won't find satisfaction in the margins.
"When i was in the classroom I always had the conversation with the students, you know what your best effort is," said Dr. Smith. "You should never rely on what someone else says to validate you as an individual."
In the ever-changing worl d of education, the three Rs have been re-defined. The purpose, however, has not.
Below is a list of Vanderburgh County schools and how they were graded. Last year's grades are also included for comparison. For the complete list, click here.
The new assessment system ranks schools from A to F. State leaders touted the new grading system as a method in which people could easily understand. By doing so, however, local educators say it neglects the big picture.
***
Long gone are the days of the three 'Rs' in education: reading, writing and arithmetic. These are the times of report card and reaction from Tri-State superintendents.
"I think people have a better understanding," said Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider. "An A is better than a B, a B is better than a C. It's going to be easier for the public to understand but it's far from a perfect way to judge."
"The school's performance, the child's performance, can't be relegated to the efforts on a single standardized test," said EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith.
If given the opportunity, both men would take a red pen to the state's new school assessment system.
This comes despite Warrick County schools faring well and EVSC schools faring not so well.
Ten Warrick County schools received As. Fifteen EVSC schools received Fs. Educators say it's unfair to compare the two systems facing different challenges.
And that's the problem.
The new system compares student's ISTEP scores to other students in the state. Both superintendents won't dispute the grades bbut they will dispute the grading.
"We caution our parents and community members to look at those scores," said Schneider. "Take them for what they are worth. They are just one part, one piece of evidence as to what makes a great school. They are not the end all."
"It's very discouraging, disheartening," said Dr. Smith. "Teachers know and parents know their kids are getting a great education at the schools the state wants to label as inferior."
You won't find complacency in the halls. And you won't find satisfaction in the margins.
"When i was in the classroom I always had the conversation with the students, you know what your best effort is," said Dr. Smith. "You should never rely on what someone else says to validate you as an individual."
In the ever-changing worl d of education, the three Rs have been re-defined. The purpose, however, has not.
Below is a list of Vanderburgh County schools and how they were graded. Last year's grades are also included for comparison. For the complete list, click here.
| SCHOOL | 2012 | 2011 |
| Cynthia Heights Elementary School | A | A |
| Scott Elementary School | A | A |
| North Junior High School | F | -- |
| Oak Hill Elementary School | A | -- |
| Bosse High School | C | C |
| Central High School | C | C |
| Reitz High School | B | C |
| Lincoln School | F | F |
| North High School | B | C |
| Caze Elementary School | F | F |
| Cedar Hall Community School | F | F |
| Academy For Innovative Studies | F | F |
| Delaware Elementary School | C | C |
| Dexter Elementary School | F | C |
| Fairlawn Elementary School | F | D |
| Glenwood Leadership Academy | F | F |
| Harper Elementary School | D | C |
| Harrison High School | C | C |
| Hebron Elementary School | C | C |
| Helfrich Park STEM Academy | F | D |
| Stockwell Elementary School | F | C |
| Thompkins Middle School | D | F |
| Highland Elementary School | A | A |
| New Tech Institute | D | A |
| Lodge Community School | F | F |
| McGary Middle School | F | F |
| Perry Heights Middle School | C | C |
| Plaza Park International Prep Academy | C | D |
| Evans School | F | C |
| Stringtown Elementary School | D | B |
| Tekoppel Elementary School | D | C |
| Vogel Elementary School | D | D |
| Washington Middle School | F | F |
| Daniel Wertz Elementary School | F | C |
| West Terrace Elementary School | C | A |
