Even as changes are being made to the Department of Education’s A-F Grading System for schools, Governor Fallin is calling the system an important tool.
“Oklahoma’s A-F grading system is an important measure of school performance for parents as well as school administrators and teachers. The A-F school grades provide a mechanism for teachers and administrators to compare their schools with others, while providing insight on how they can improve. The grades also let parents know how the schools are performing, while showing other school patrons what supports are needed to help their schools prosper,” said Fallin.
When the grades were released on Thursday, it was reported by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister that the calculations used to generate them would be changed to fit new accountability standards.
A task force will generate recommendations for the new standards and provide a final report of recommendations to the State Board of Education, Fallin and the Legislature.
“I remain committed to having a robust assessment of the schools in Oklahoma. I strongly support the continuation of this program, especially the easy-to-understand designation of A-F that provides parents with a clear understanding of how a school is performing. Just as students are graded on the A-F scale, it is important to have a similar designation for parents to understand school performance.”
I’m with the Gov. A-F grades are understandable and worthwhile. And I’m against the Superintendent tinkering with them. “Changed to fit new accountability standards” is blob-speak for “change them so that every school scores an A or B.”