| Any parent or educator knows that rating | | | | because they can make the numbers fit their |
| students and their schools is a big deal. State | | | | story. But no public school rankings can tell the |
| standards of learning, No Child Left Behind | | | | complete story of inner city education. |
| mandates, and independent websites all have their | | | | The sad truth is that money buys education in a |
| ways of evaluating the nation's schools and | | | | lot of ways. Parents who are forced to work two |
| children. There are some valid reasons behind this. | | | | jobs have a lot less time and energy to devote |
| The schools in our country are in sad and sorry | | | | to their children's schooling. Kids whose parents |
| shape. Economic status has more impact on a | | | | are in and out of prison, on drugs, or living in the |
| child's future than any other factor. So public | | | | dangerous housing projects usually have other |
| school rankings have emerged as part of an | | | | concerns above academics. And the best |
| overall attempt to identify failing schools and help | | | | teachers often choose not to teach in the |
| them improve. | | | | poorest schools because it's dangerous, supplies |
| So why are so many teachers and parents up in | | | | are scarce, parent involvement is minimal, and the |
| arms about testing? There are a lot of reasons. | | | | schools often have a lack of leadership and vision. |
| The Inequities of Testing and Public school | | | | The public school rankings are often right on |
| rankings | | | | target in these situations. |
| The fairness of testing, and ultimately public | | | | Where Public school rankings Fall Short |
| school rankings, has always been a controversial | | | | Here's what they miss. Public school rankings rely |
| topic. Advocates claim that it's the only way to | | | | heavily on demographics and standardized tests. |
| keep schools accountable; and they say that the | | | | Standardized tests are one small part of the |
| students who fail do so because they just aren't | | | | overall picture of a school and student's success. |
| ready to pass. Opponents of testing based public | | | | A school that does a great job educating students |
| school rankings say that misses the point | | | | with special needs or English Language Learners |
| completely. If many students aren't ready to pass | | | | will have far worse test scores than schools with |
| it's because their poverty level schools don't give | | | | small numbers of these populations. Public school |
| them the skills they need. And they claim that the | | | | rankings also fail to mark current progress, |
| rankings paint these schools in a bad light, which | | | | improvements and initiatives in a school. Changes |
| makes the situation worse. When fewer children | | | | in school leadership can also have a drastic effect |
| choose to attend poorly rated schools the schools | | | | on public school rankings. |
| then lose money based on per pupil funding. So | | | | While we shouldn't throw public school rankings |
| what's the real deal? | | | | out the window, no one should rely on them |
| Having taught in the inner city for years, the | | | | 100%. We need a whole new public discourse on |
| truths aren't anything that anyone really wants to | | | | what good education is, and what it should look |
| hear. Public school rankings give parents a basis | | | | like in this country. When that finally happens public |
| for evaluating their children's school, and for | | | | school rankings for k-12 general interest will be a |
| making educated decisions on moving. Politicians | | | | balanced part of an entirely different conversation. |
| also love public school rankings for gen interest | | | | |