On another post Anonymous wrote:
NEW POST!!
April 5, 2013 – The Business Times released it annual 2013 Guide to Western PA SCHOOLS Ranking Report.
The
methodology for the report is based on a formula using 3 years of
PSSA scores combined and averaged across math, reading, writing and
science. Although statewide ranking is listed based on the accumulated
averages for proficient/advanced totals, the major reporting is on
Western PA schools ranked for each District grade level.
Western PA 11th Grade (124 schools)
Only
CAPA and Allderdice placed in the top 50 with CAPA in 8th place and
Allderdice at 48th. (#s 1, 2, 3, were Upper St. Clair, Mt Lebanon,
& North Allegheny)
Among the lowest 24 schools (including
charters) were Carrick, Brashear, Langley, Perry, Oliver and
Westinghouse in that order.
Western PA 8th Grade (149 schools)
CAPA in 20th place, Sci-Tech in 61st place, and Obama in 78th place.
Among
the lowest 20 schools were 9 PPS : Schiller, Murray, Allegheny,
Arlington, Schaeffer, Arsenal, Stevens, King and Manchester.
Western PA 7th Grade (150 schools)
CAPA at 23rd place, Carmalt at 69th, Colfax at 74th, and Sci-Tech at 77th
Among
the lowest 20 schools are 9 PPS: Allegheny, Schiller, Arlington,
Murray, Arsenal, King, Stevens, Schaeffer, and Manchester
Western PA 6th Grade (198 schools)
In the top 100 there are only 2 PPS schools with CAPA at 33rd place and Sci-Tech at 98th place.
Among
the bottom 30 are 14 PPS: Southbrook, Allegheny, Pgh Classical,
Mifflin, Montessori, Schiller, Arlington, Sunnyside, Murray, Schaeffer,
Arsenal, Stevens, King and Manchester.
The PPS schools not listed are more or less in the middle as schools rank in Western PA.
Remember
these rankings are based on a 3-year average of all four areas tested
on PSSA: Math, Reading, Writing and Science. The PDE official data was
used to calculate the average proficiency rates to determine the RANK
among schools in Western PA.
(Grades 3 to 5 will follow.)
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11 comments:
April 5, 2013, The Business Times RANKS all Western Pennsylvania Schools based on 3-year averages of Math, Reading, Writing and Science "proficient/advanced" PSSA scores at each Grade Level per District.
Following the previous post for Grades 11, 8, 7, and 6 HERE are the Grades 5, 4, and 3 RANKINGS in Western PA:
Western PA 5th Grade (273 Schools)
The highest ranked PPS schools are Dilworth at 64th place, Colfax at 74th place, and Liberty at 91st.
Among the bottom 30 schools are 15 PPS: Lincoln-244th, Weil-245th, Sunnyside-246th, Manchester-250th Wooslair-251st. Grandview-256th, Arsenal-261st, Stevens-262nd , Miller-263rd, Arlington-265th, Schaeffer-266th, King-268th, Northview-269th, Murray-270th, and Faison-271st.
Western PA 4th Grade (300 Schools)
There are NO PPS 4th Grades in the top 100 schools! The highest ranked PPS school is Colfax at 126th.
Among the bottom 30 schools are 18 PPS schools: Spring Hill - 272nd, Morrow–273rd, Sunnyside-276th, Fort Pitt-277th, Stevens-278th, Arsenal-282nd, Weil-284th, Grandview-285th, Lincoln-286th, Miller- 287th, Manchester-288th, Arlington- 291st, Schaeffer-293rd, Murray-295th, Faison-296th, Woolslair-297th, King -298th and Northview–299th.
Western PA 3rd Grade (314 Schools)
There is only ONE PPS school among the top 100 schools: Colfax at 92nd place.
Among the bottom 30 schools are 22 PPS schools: Montessori-269th, Carmalt–270th, Roosevelt–274th. Spring Hill–277th, Schaeffer-279th, Concord-280th, Sunnyside–281st, Mifflin–283rd, Westwood–284th, Miller-289th, Manchester-293rd, Arlington-299th, Grandview-300th, Arsenal-302nd, Fort Pitt-303rd, Weil–305th, Stevens-306th, Murray-308th, Northview-309th, Lincoln-310th, Woolslair-311th, Faison-312th, and King-313th.
These scores were reportedly taken from the PDE website and averaged over three years in four subjects to produce one "proficient/advanced" percentage for each grade level in a District. The Districts were then RANKED across Western PA schools only.
The Grades 3, 4, and 5 DATA is listed here as a comment/post by Questioner. Why?
It is a continuation of the initial post. It was NOT submitted by Questioner!
The initial post by Anonymous clearly states that grades 3,4and 5 will follow. The "comment" is obviously a continuation of the initial post.
A ranking of schools by family income would probably yield very similar results. If so, does this list tell us anything other than the fact that schools in Western Pennsylvania have not yet figured out how to most effectively teach students living in poverty?
There was a very real and sincere attempt to provide U Prep students with everything that was needed for them to "soar"; sincerely dedicated teachers, principals, even a superintendent who more than anything wanted to show Broad how he could create a flagship school. They just didnt know how to do it. They thought they had it figured out, but they did not.
"They just didnt know how to do it."
This line from the previous post captures it. Who were they? What race? What background? What commitment? What experience? What record of success?
Yet, there are those with the above qualities who have figured it out for their students (not someone else's) and are doing it, continue to do it because of the above qualities! Home grown, committed individuals with the right qualities!
Th super was roosevelt, the deputy super was lane, the head of the institute for urban Ed housed at the school was Lopez, the principal was Narcisse; one white, three AA but all heavily influenced by Broad. Those at U Prep and in general in Western PA have not yet figured out how to best educate impoverished students in their schools.
The Business Journal itself recognizes the problems with its rankings list, stating on page 46 that "It is widely acknowledged that the economic situation of a student is one of the strongest predictors of how well a student will perform economically..." Not how well the student CAN perform, but how well the student will perform under the conditions that exist at this time.
In response to this issue the Journal also includes an "Overachiever rank," which takes into account the percentage of students receiving a free or reduced price lunch. Under this measure Pittsburgh moved from 29 last year to 20 this year. However, the methodology is strange and has no logical basis- the Journal adds the regular rank to the free and reduced lunch rank, like adding apples and oranges.
Questioner at 9:22,
I see no problems with the rankings list. To add modifiers - like the percentage of students receiving a free lunch - just muddies the waters.
A school is what it is! Do you think a parent thinking about moving into Pittsburgh cares about such modifiers? Do you think a company thinking about hiring city graduates cares about such modifiers?
No! A school is either producing quality graduates, or it is not.
Now, economics (and poverty) play a HUGE roll, no doubt about that. So city schools have a hard row to hoe, no doubt about that.
But when it comes to ranking schools, present the unvarnished facts.
A school is either producing quality graduates, or it is not. Period.
Thank you 10:26!
"But when it comes to ranking schools, present the unvarnished facts.
A school is either producing quality graduates, or it is not. Period."
You are right and there is nothing more to say. EXCUSES just don't cut it.
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