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
A very well written and useful post, thanks very much
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You are welcome. And thank you!
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