Moderator's Note: Volcano Vista earned 74.1 points needing just .9 to get to the "A" grade (75-100 points is what you need for an "A"). We could have gotten an "A" grade had we qualified for bonus points (there are 5 available beginning in 2012). I noticed we were docked to a D in the college readiness area meaning we need to improve in the number of students who take the ACT and SAT, who go to CNM for dual credit coursework, etc. Parents should encourage children in this area :)
For our school's breakdown, go to the following link (it's long so hopefully it works):
I have also uploaded it to our files section for those of you with a Yahoo! ID:
The following is a message from our school board representative, Kathy Korte, concerning this issue:
Hello everyone:
You woke up this morning to a Journal story about the school grades (or A to F) as administered by the Public Education Department. I want you to remember that I believe the whole grading system -- and the A to F rule -- is flawed.
- La Cueva, Eldorado, Albuquerque High, Cibola, Sandia = A
- Del Norte, Manzano, Valley, Volcano Vista = B
- Rio Grande, Atrisco Heritage, Highland, West Mesa = C
If you recall, the APS Board of Education wrote a very detailed list of questions about the A to F rule and never received a response. It is unclear how these grades were generated. I myself don't know the math formulas used, nor the statistical peer groups used in comparing schools.
And while school grades are more understandable to stakeholders, I do quibble with the details laid out in the A to F rules written by the PED. Among those rules that I am not a supporter of:
- Transportation. If a school fails for two consecutive years, then students at that school may transfer at the district's expense to any other non-failing school. First, we can't even transport our children adequately with the current funding in place, so how are we going to transport every child to schools outside their boundaries? Secondly, we have waiting lists at many of our "good" schools already so how will this work when an entire school community can leave but can't because of spacing at other non-failing schools?
- Funding. Republicans talk about the fleecing of taxpayers; i.e. if schools are failing then we are wasting taxpayer dollars. I would agree with that. However, I also think taxpayers are being fleeced in the form of millions and millions of dollars being spent in state and federal grants at low-performing schools. I sent to you a few months ago a comparison of the funding levels at three Title I high schools and one non-Title I high school. We are pumping millions and millions in grant monies into failing schools already. Gov. Martinez wants to earmark another $17 million for schools that need assistance. What about the schools in the middle: those schools that are NOT failing but don't have extra funding to hire interventionists, additional counselors, etc., because they are not Title I schools? These schools are struggling to teach their lowest 25% without the resources and these schools are also seeing their proficiency scores drop.
This isn't in the A to F legislation but it's something I think needs to be evaluated when we discuss reform:
Teachers' contracts. There are three areas that need to be looked at that would enable districts and principals to lead their schools better: an 8-hour workday for teachers; an evaluation system that allows a principal to fill in the "does not meet expectations" category without having to consult with a union first; and the ability to fire a teacher immediately when it is clear that he/she has no business in the classroom.
I believe it is imperative for PARENTS to speak up now. It is very obvious that this particular parent -- your APS Board of Education representative -- is not being heard by the PED. I have relayed all the above concerns to Secretary Skandera. While I want our schools to achieve for our children, I also believe that won't happen unless policies are clearly written and thought-out. A to F is neither.
The burden of educating our children doesn't lie only with a school or its district. It starts with parents in the home taking an active role in their children's education and working with their children's teachers for optimum success. And while we can't legislate how parents take a role in the school system, it's the critical missing link in all these new reform ideas.
If you have a comment, question or complaint about your school's grade or the A to F system, then write it to:
I also urge you to write to your legislators. Here is a link to their contact information:
Thank you,
Kathy Korte, District 2 School Board Representative
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