- The MTELL wasn't reported (this is 10% of our population of students); this is very significant and leaves the impression that we are only concerned about the MCA II's (the data about MCA's isn't complete without the MTELL (Dave A. didn't have the MTELL info when the reporting was done; this is not the fault of Dave Aeikens...the state department had not released the MTELL info at the time this was written. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, "Dave Aeikens does a wonderful job of reporting.").
- It was reported that we improved in about 1/2 the grades when we actually improved everywhere except for 4th grade reading and 8th grade math. Even factoring in the MTELL would not change the fact that all but two grade levels improved.
We now need to get this information to the public. We will also address the editorial that was written about TeamWorks. I want to talk about how 742 needs to reacts to the editorial with regards to:
- impartial or biased reporting that creates doubt
- the lack of substance and incomplete reporting
We need to "brand" ourselves based on achievement with all assessment results (MTELL, GRAD Writing, MAP, GOM, AP, Expore, Plan, ACT and the composite scores of the ACT). We weight the importance of each when we measure our district's success with student achievement, and the MCA II reading and math scores make up for approximately 13% of the total measure. If we account for the writing portion and the MCA II's, then we weight this at 20% of the total measure. THIS HAS TO BECOME THE STORY...THE COMPLETE STORY!
I am amazed by our success this year, but when it's reported that about 1/2 our grade levels showed improvement, the public thinks, "742 isn't achieving." We need to tell the WHOLE story.
We will be meeting with the editorial board next Tuesday and talk about the importance of accountability and excellence in education and how the TeamWorks process will create the needed changes as we move forward.
