| Page 2 of 2 < |
Education Board Retains Leadership
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
One problem is that some students don't show up to take the exams. But another issue discussed by Prince George's officials was the state's role in administering the tests. Donna Muncey, the school system's accountability chief, said changes in what the state has been telling the county have created "a shifting sand of expectations."
Two years ago, she said, the state was advising school systems not to have students take the test until administrators were sure the students would pass. Now, the state suggests students take the test early and often, to identify those who are having trouble and place them in programs to boost their skills.
Board members said they were exasperated as well, and said the state needed to get the county test scores more quickly.
"I would call on MSDE to do their part," said Heather Iliff (District 2). "They have set their bar high -- some might say not high enough -- but they really need to be getting us those test scores in a timely fashion."
R. Owen Johnson Jr. (District 5) pointed out another pet peeve of principals: Students who complete projects under the "Bridge Plan" -- an alternative route to meeting state graduation requirements for students who fail the exams -- do not affect how a school's performance looks under the "adequate yearly progress" formula that determines whether a school is subject to state sanctions.
"The state has put us in a no-win situation," Johnson said. "We'll be calling for principals' heads because they haven't made AYP when in fact they've done the best they can."
Rosalind Johnson (District 1) got in a final dig.
"Why do we continue to listen to MSDE?" she asked. There were chuckles in the crowd because the powerful state agency sets Maryland's education law and might not take being ignored lightly. "Seriously. I am not being flippant," Johnson said. "They are not doing and serving us well at every level."
William R. Hite Jr., the school system's interim superintendent and a strong supporter of the exams, suggested that the board write a letter to the state expressing its concerns.
Mobile
Email