KSBA eNews Service, Frankfort, Dec. 7, 2016
Secretary Heiner: “Dashboard” rating concept backed by Commissioner Pruitt should supplement letter grades
by Brad Hughes
Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner is proposing that Kentucky grade its schools using an A, B, C, D or F rating at the conclusion of development of a new accountability system being crafted to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.
In a report posted in advance of today’s meeting of the Kentucky Board of Education, Heiner called for a “single summative school rating,” which could be supplemented by a broader “dashboard” approach at rating schools – a concept that Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt has spoken in favor of.
“While the use of a dashboard could be promising, we believe a dashboard should be used to supplement a clear and easy to understand, single summative school rating. And there is no school rating system more clear and easy for parents and communities to understand than an A-F school grading system,” Heiner said in the document. “While there may be confusion about what the names of accountability classifications mean, including colors, stars, or levels, parents understand very clearly that a B school has overall performance that is at a higher level than a D school, that an A school has overall performance that is at a substantially higher level than a D school, and that an F school is probably not a place where they want their child to attend.”
Heiner said 17 states, including Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia have adopted the A-F school grading model. However, controversy has surrounded Indiana’s A-F grading system and that state’s incoming education secretary has advocated adding other measures of school progress to the system.
The secretary acknowledged the A-F concept has its critics, but he called their arguments “misguided,” particularly as to claims of placing harmful labels on students in schools rated low on the scale.
“First, it is clear that the letter grades given to schools are grades for the schools, not the children who attend the schools. Further, what should be more concerning for parents and community members than a school grade of F is the fact that the school’s performance is so subpar that it warrants a letter grade of F,” Heiner said.
“It is time for Kentucky to adopt an accountability system that is honest about schools’ performance. Only an honest and transparent assessment of schools’ performance can lead to the targeted support and intervention needed to provide high quality learning experiences for all of Kentucky’s children," the secretary said in the report.
At today’s KBE meeting, Department of Education staff are to present a progress report on work to develop a new accountability system. Pruitt recently said he expects to have a proposal out for public comment early next year.
The meeting is being webstreamed live and is accessible on the department's website.