In Florida, and in many other states across the country, schools can be defined as either good or bad based on their letter grade designation largely earned through students’ performance on high stakes tests.

Parents muse, “John Doe Elementary is an A school and have wonderful teachers. Jane Doe Elementary is a C school. They just don’t get the talented, veteran teachers.”

These musings are not only incorrect, they place faith in a system that is faulty at best.

The Learning Specialists at Engage the Brain have all been classroom teachers and continue to work with students in school settings. We like to think we know a good school when we visit one. Without even looking at the test scores.

How?
Let’s start with the letter designation of a school. A rated schools tend to have some or all of the following: Students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, more resources to help prepare students for high stakes tests like access to supplemental curriculum materials, involved parents, administrators and teachers whom emphasize teaching to the test and in up to 5% of schools, cheating on high stakes tests by adults. Yes, shocking!

How about the C rated schools? Schools with a lot of high performing students and or a lot of low performing students find it difficult to show academic growth, a major contributor to a school’s letter grade. High performing students have nowhere to go but down on standardized tests. Maintaining a high score does not record “growth.” Low performing students are often caught in a cycle of underperforming and do not record “growth” on standardized tests. The very best, veteran teachers can struggle to meet the needs of each of these populations, in their classrooms.

So besides a school’s letter grade, how else can you tell if a school is good? Here is a list of key indicators that can reveal the quality of a school:

• School attendance – Does a high percentage of students attend school every day?
• Students with disabilities – Is the school providing services and accommodations?
• Teacher collaboration – Are teachers provided time to truly meet and discuss students and instruction?
• College and Career readiness – Are students graduating from high school ready for the rigors of college classes and or work?
• Satisfied Parents – Are parents of students at the school satisfied with the teachers and level of communication the school provides?
• Student Enthusiasm – When you visit the school, do you sense the students are happy, respectful and engaged in the school community?

Conclusion
These are just a few ways to evaluate a school beyond its state issued letter grade. Not all A schools are full of highly effective, veteran teachers and high performing students engaged in wonderful collaborative, project-based learning programs. Like wise, not all C schools are filled with underperforming students and ineffective teachers struggling to make the grade on high stakes tests. By using the key indicators you can assess a school for yourself.

What letter grade would you give your child’s school?