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Performance ratings
In the past, the Arkansas Department of Education used vague terms such as “needs improvement” to identify schools that did not provide their students with an adequate education. Recent negotiations resulted in the adoption of a number system by which schools are rated on a performance level of 1-5, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. A performance level of three represents a school that is providing an adequate education.
Grades go to schools (not districts)
Because schools within the same district sometimes provide varying qualities of education, ratings for the school’s performance should be given to the individual school and not the overall district. The school’s performance grade is based on an average of all the student test scores in that particular school.
One grade for overall test score
Parents should know which schools are successful in teaching the basic curriculum. Publicized and easily accessible school grades let parents know whether or not their children are attending academically successful schools, allowing them to make informed decisions on where their children attend school.
Another grade for improvement
Grading is based on the amount of improvement in overall test scores. This system of grading recognizes schools working hard to improve their educational product. Rewarding improvement will encourage schools to continue their progress until they earn A’s for overall test scores as well.
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