Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
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Shocking news: Dayton out of “academic emergency”
By Scott Elliott
Dayton Daily News
Dayton Public Schools Superintendent Percy Mack has some stunning news for 2,500 district staff when he delivers his convocation speech this morning:
The district is no longer in “academic emergency”
And the good news may not stop there.
It appears from numbers Mack (pictured above) reported Tuesday night that Dayton Public Schools will jump two rungs on Ohio’s rating system and settle in “continuous improvement,” the middle of five rating categories.
That would be an enormous change of fortunes for Dayton, which for the past three years has been last or tied for last among all 611 Ohio school districts for report card results.
Friday was the last day to submit data and corrections to the Ohio Department of Education, which will issue its ranking of districts Aug. 15.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, Mack said Dayton reported a performance index score of 73.2. That score — a measure of district performance across all tests taken — is up from 66.4 last year and 61.3 the prior year.
According to the state’s rules, any district with a performance index score of at least 70 can be rated no lower than “academic watch.” And those that grow the score by 10 points in two years, including growth of 3 points in the most recent year, move up one more rung to “continuous improvement.”
Dayton can thank the state’s new system, which rewards test score growth, for its escape from academic emergency.
But not only was its growth enough to reach “continuous improvement,” Mack said, the district fell just short of making “adequate yearly progress.”
That standard, measured by the federal No Child Left Behind law, requires districts to meet pre-set test scores and attendance at several grades, and ensure all minority groups make gains.
Mack said Dayton met all the requirements for adequate yearly progress except one. Poor students classified as “economically disadvantaged” attended school 92.9 percent of the time last year. The federal standard requires 93 percent attendance.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By pat
August 5, 2006 4:05 PM | Link to this
It is great news taht DPS has overcome their academic emergency status. At the opening day convocation last Wed., Dr. Mack congratulated the Board and adminsitrators for the great improvements. Likewise the Board & admin. congratulated Dr. Mack. Not a word was said in appreciation for the hard work the teachers have done to raise test scores. When was the last time Dr. Mack or the Board members had to work with students in cramped classrooms in crumbling buildings to make a difference. The teachers and parents are the ones who moved Dayton Public Schools ahead not the administrators amd Board membersBy Scott Elliott
August 3, 2006 5:26 PM | Link to this
Jennifer, there have been lots of accolades the past couple days for the school board, superintendent, teachers, staff, kids, etc, that certainly are well deserved. My story in today’s paper mentions some of them. But the simple fact remains that had Ohio not changed its ranking system, Dayton would still be in academic emergency today. It’s not meant as a value judgment.By Jennifer
August 3, 2006 4:36 PM | Link to this
“Dayton can thank the state’s new system, which rewards test score growth, for its escape from academic emergency.”—Why don’t we thank the hardwork from teachers, students, parents, and other staff members?By Geraldine
August 2, 2006 9:58 PM | Link to this
I’m happy to hear the good news. Let’s not forget the teachers and parents that supported the kids everyday.By Oldprof
August 2, 2006 3:09 PM | Link to this
And here I was thinking that the naysayers would take a day or two off. OK, the school system is still less than perfect. Sure, the radical improvement is in part due to the standards changing year by year. Yes, Belmont was at the bottom of the barrel (what did you do as a student to contribute to improving that standing?). We now return to our celebratory mood, distracted only a bit by the whiney pity party.By Eve
August 2, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this
It’s been a while since I woke up to good news about Dayton on the front page of the paper. This is terrific for the school system, the city, and most of all for the students!By Kei
August 2, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
It’s hard to believe that DPS is really out of academic emergency. I graduated from Belmont in ‘04 when we were still at the bottom of the barrel. For us to have come up that quick in two years… Hm. Until I see some hard facts and some proof from the kids that are still in the system, I’m doubtful of anything Mack says about this.By Oldprof
August 2, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
Success breeds success, so things are certainly looking up. With success there’s plenty of credit to spread around; while acknowledging the administration and board, let’s not forget the hard-working teachers and other front-line workers in the system. Recognize that even the school bus drivers and custodial staff have a role to play in the student’s school experience.