For Immediate Release
UFT President Randi Weingarten on school progress reports
Nov 5, 2007 4:56 PM
Each public school in the city received a grade from “A” to “F” on Nov. 5 as the DOE released its first-ever school progress reports.
Each school’s grade is based on its score in three categories: 30 percent for student performance, 55 percent for student progress from year to year, and 15 percent for the School Learning Environment surveys and student attendance rates.
Of 1,224 schools that received progress reports, 23 percent received an A, 38 percent received a B, 25 percent received a C, 8 percent received a D, and 4 percent (50 schools) received an F. (The DOE had initially intended to use a strict curve to apportion grades: 15 percent of schools were to get an “A;” 40 percent, a “B;” 30 percent a “C;” 10 percent, a “D;” and 5 percent an “F.”)
Schools with more collaborative relationships between teachers and administrators scored higher, the DOE found. For example, 87.6 percent of teachers in “A” schools felt supported by their principal, compared to 79.3 percent of teachers in “F” schools.
DOE officials said that schools that got a D or F would be required to submit “action plans” that detail the steps they will take to improve and address the weaknesses identified in the report.
Statement of UFT President Randi Weingarten on the school progress reports:
First, we congratulate the schools that have done well on the school Progress Reports. Not surprisingly, schools with more collaborative relationships between teachers and administrators received higher grades.
Fair, clear and accurate assessments of schools and student progress are very important goals, and we have always supported accountability systems that strive to do that. Based on our discussions with the Department of Education, we know that this is what was intended. However, there is something wrong with the design of an accountability system when schools that have an established track record of solid performance are stigmatized by sub-par grades.
We’re pleased that the DOE showed flexibility and altered its grading curve. But whether it’s the curve (by design, 45 percent of schools were to receive Cs or worse), or the components (despite the inclusion of the School Learning Environment Surveys, student attendance and graduation rates, the Progress Report places excessive weight on the results of standardized exams), or the definition of similarly situated schools, the grades still leave too many parents and educators questioning their accuracy. If parents and educators and the public don’t have confidence in this measure, it’s not going to be an effective accountability tool or an effective tool to improve student achievement.
Hopefully, this is the first and not the last word on what constitutes a Progress Report. We want these reports to become clear, fair and accurate assessments of school and student progress, as we’re sure the DOE does as well. To that end, instead of relying so heavily on standardized tests, the Progress Reports should give greater weight to the Learning Environment Surveys, and include in them other conditions that affect a student’s experience in a school such as class size and safety. Progress Reports should also include learning opportunities – such as access to college level courses, and whether or not a school provides music, art and physical education. These are the things that parents look at when they are considering a school for their child.
Finally, and equally important, now that the Progress Report and the kind of data that comprise it are such an important part of the accountability system, it’s imperative that we use the data to inform instruction rather than punish schools, and that we develop concrete, meaningful steps that struggling schools can take in order to improve. After all, this is about helping all kids, not about a static grade.
To find out your school’s grade, go to the DOE’s Web site at schools.nyc.gov, search for your school in the “Find a School” search tool, and then click “Statistics” on the school home page.
For a listing of the grades of schools citywide, go to the UFT web site (pdf).
