How are schools evaluated and what can parents do for their child's education

Education is something my husband and I take very seriously. As a college graduate, I know the importance of a good foundation is needed to help a child succeed. As my daughter approached school age, my husband and I were looking into the school in which she would be attending. We looked into all the information about our local school that we could. After a conversation with a friend, I realized that despite my research, I didn’t know how the school was assessed. How were schools rated? And what are the alternatives if parents do not like the local school. For this blog, I will focus on the state of California which is where I reside. I strongly urge parents to look into their own state’s educational ranting.

The Academic Performance Index (API) is a measurement of academic performance and process of individual schools in California. It is one of the main components of the Public Schools Accountability Act (1999) which was passed by the state’s legislature. The API scores ranged from 200 (low) to 1000 (high). The statewide API score was targeted at 800 for all schools. A school’s growth is measured by how it was moving toward or past that goal. Scores were calculated for all students as a whole as well as by groups i.e. race, English learners, students with disabilities and those who were considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. A school’s score was designed to be an indicator of performance level and was calculated annually by the California Department of Education. Primarily by students’ performances on the California Standards Test (CST) and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Due to the API’s heavy reliance on standardized testing, many critics argued that the reliability and accuracy of the API scores as weaknesses as indicators of a school’s academic achievement. The scores were suspended after the 2013 calculation and later cancelled as a new system is being devised to replace the API scores. This new system will be designed to measure progress on the Common Core Standards.

Since 1988, California has required all public schools receiving state funds to prepare and distribute a School Accountability Report Card (SARC). A similar requirement is also contained in the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965). The SARC’s purpose is to provider parents and the community with important information about a school. “A SARC can be an effective way for a school to report on its progress in achieving goals. The public may also use a SARC to evaluate and compare schools” (California Department of Education). The SARC has four parts. First, Conditions of Learning section details the student body. The number of students enrolled in total as well as by groups. The number of teachers that are fully credentialed and the types of textbooks and instructional materials used for each subject and grade. The school’s physical status is rating as Good, Fair or Poor as well as notes as to repairs that are needed and actions taken or planned to fix any issues. Second, Pupil Outcomes section details scores on statewide assessments, particularly the California Assessment of Students Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System which is given to the general education population in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11. One of these assessments in this system is the California Alternative Assessments (CAAs) for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and mathematics. A CAA test for science will be piloted for this school year and is expected to be operational by the 2019-2020 school year. Third, Engagement is the schools scores on the level of parental involvement. What opportunities has the school offered as to getting or allowing the parents to be involved in the school’s operation and their children’s education? Most common opportunities are the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Back to School and Open House Nights. This section also details the school’s suspension and expulsion rates and well as the school safety plans. For example, my daughter’s school is a closed campus. Once the bell rings, the gates are locked and no one is allowed in or out until dismissal. If someone needs on campus, for example to volunteer in the classroom, it must first be arranged with the teacher and the office must be informed and the individual must check in with the office before being allowed inside the gates. Lastly, the SARC provides information about support staff such as counselors, librarian, psychologist and other non-teacher positions. This section also details the average class size, professional development for its teachers and as well the types of services that are funded and provided to its students.

What can parents do if their local school isn’t up to their standards and they do not want to send their children to that particular school? Do they have any recourse? I was in the California public school system, the districts were starting an idea that as long as a student lived in the district boundaries, he or she could attend any school in the district. However, I could not find any information that this is still the case. So, if you don’t want your child to attend the school closest to you, what are the other options? There are private schools which are usually privately funded and thus costs money. There is the option is homeschool. According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, the average cost of homeschool is approximately $900 per child per year. There are ways to offset such costs. For example, if you are not going to use the curriculum again for another child and the materials are in good shape, you can sell the material to another parent. Before considering homeschool, check out the requirements for your particular state. For example, California requirements that parents who wish to homeschool establish a home based private school by filing an affidavit. There are numerous homeschool sites which can help parents with this process. Another option is charter schools. Charter schools have been in the news in recent years and little is understand about them. Charter schools are government funded but operates independently of the established state school system and in some cases are privately owned. According to the California Charter School Association, these schools are public schools which are non-sectarian (no religious affiliation), tuition free and open to any students who wish to attend regardless of where they live as long as there is space.

When my daughter was entering school, I felt I had to find the right school for her to enrich her and help her thrive. I realize now that school is only one tool to do this. Her education begins and ends at home. What my husband and I do is more important than finding the school with the best scores, the best teacher-student ratio, etc. Parental involvement can turn any low performing school around by simply getting involved, being a voice for your child. I understand this could be difficult for working parents; however, there are simply ways to so do. And start early, my daughter learned her colors and numbers while riding in the car. She learned her shapes, animals and food with grocery shopping. And oh, bad TV! But don’t discount preschool TV programming, they can make learning fun and engaging. My daughter loved Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Nick Jr’s Team Umizoomi and many others which taught problem solving, shapes, patterns, etc. In the two months my daughter has been in kindergarten, she has grown by leaps and bounds. Within a month, she was writing words other than her name. She is reading short sentences and eagerly wants to read anything she can. I love her teacher and her school. Bottom line: DO NOT be the parent who drops their child off at the school gates and says “OK! She’s your responsibility for six hours!” No! Your parental responsibility doesn’t end at the school gates. You are your child’s first and greatest teacher. It begins and ends with you.

In conclusion, there is no test that the state can devise which will accurately measure what a child has learned. One test given on one day cannot possibly be the only tool we can use to measure this. Every standardized test, assessment test is supposed to be better than the one it’s replacing. The SARC is a useful tool to get a picture of how the school is doing and other important but it is only a snapshot. Your involvement is still key to your child’s success. If you are curious about your local school, set up a meeting with the principal, discuss your concerns and any questions you may have. If you have any concerns about your children’s education, contact his or her teachers, set up meetings and voice your concerns. Be your child’s strongest and loudest advocate.

References

California Charter School Association www.ccsa.org Retrieved October 15, 2017

California Department of Education www.cde.ca.gov Retrieved October 14, 2017

Home School Legal Defense Association www.hslda.org Retrieved October 15, 2017