New Controversial Approach to School Evaluations May Help Families Relocating to Charlotte, NC

March 22, 2009- Charlotte, NC: Families relocating to the Charlotte area are often concerned about finding the best schools for their children. Traditionally, parents could research and evaluate schools solely on state mandated test scores or drop out rates. A radical new evaluation process may provide a more useful perspective of what really happens in our classrooms.  

According to an article in The Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system (CMS) is in the process of evaluating all schools and "detailing everything from student behavior to the principals' leadership to parent involvement."  

"While the reports are produced mainly for the educators who can use them to improve, they give the public a rare, detailed description of classroom quality."

CMS's new School Quality Reviews attempts to reflect what goes on in the classroom, not just a look at overall student test scores. The goal is to help school's recognize their shortcomings, celebrate their successes and replicate great work.

According to the article, an eight-page report will eventually be generated on each school using these six measures:

• Achievement
• Are students making progress? Is the school getting strong students to the highest level and providing effective help for weak ones?
• Curriculum
• Is the school not only teaching what the state requires, but finding ways to make the lessons interesting and relevant?
• Learning and teaching
• Are students engaged in independent thinking, group work and high-level reasoning? Can teachers reach students with different needs?
• Leadership
• Do the principal and assistants have a good grasp of the schools strengths and weaknesses and a plan to improve? Are they getting the faculty, families and community to buy in?
• Learning environment
• Is the school safe, clean and welcoming? Do students care about succeeding and respect their teachers?
• Parent/community involvement
• Are parents involved and informed? Are churches, businesses or other groups working as partners?

Source: Charlotteobserver.com, New Quality Reviews at CMS go Deeper Than Test Scores, Ann Doss Helms (03/22/2009)