Current News, from the principal's perspective

I read two articles with my morning coffee today and thought I would share them with you, along with my thoughts. The first is a Detroit News article on the MEAP cut scores and how they may be changing.

According to Michigan Superintendent of Schools, Michael Flanagan, the current cut scores "disguise dismal ability levels."

Why is this important at St. Paul? Parents often ask me how our standardized test scores compare with the test scores in the public school. We use the norm-referenced Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The public schools in Michigan use the criterion-referenced MEAP test.

It's like comparing apples and oranges. The criterion referenced tests set a basic, or "criterion" level that everyone SHOULD be able to meet (assuming all variables are in place - good instruction, parent support, healthy meals, etc.). Norm-referenced tests provide a "bell curve" of results - there are items on the test designed to be too difficult for the average child at a grade level.

Why are the MEAP cut scores important? Because they tell parents if their child is proficient, or performing at a reasonable level. For criterion referenced tests, these are items students should know. But in Michigan, for example, a 4th grader only needs to get 29% of the items correct on the 4th grade Math test (where all the items are designed at a 4th grade level) to be considered proficient. This does a disservice to parents, giving them a false sense of a child's progress.

I'll be following this story closely to see if the State Board of Education actually changes the cut scores. Politically, it may be very difficult to label many, many more schools as "failing."

The second is a CNN article  titled "What teachers really want to tell parents." This article was written by Ron Clark, Disney's American Teacher of the Year, and my initial reaction was "Every word in this article is true." My second reaction was that I didn't want to offend anybody! I hope you'll read his article with an open heart and an open mind. Every teacher and administrator at St. Paul truly loves your child and wants only the best for each one of our students. Within that context, we occasionally have to share news with parents that may be difficult to hear. While the year is still fresh and new, this article can be a great reminder to all of us to work together to help our children through the normal ups and downs of school life!