What determines a "failing" school?

Submitted by Sharon Bodley (not verified) on March 22, 2007 - 13:44.

What determines a "failing" school? Failing students, failing parents, failing teachers, failing system? Until we are better able to define what failing is and it's cause Choise makes no sense. We are a large, urban district that has had Choice formce on us by a law suit. It has led to educational chaos that has only begun to be straightened out by a strong leadership team and buy-in from the teachers. Planning for materials and needs of individual has been a nightmare as we never know where the parents will decide their child can get the "best" education. There is a revolving door of student and teacher movement from building to building. Consistency was non-existent.
We are gradually moving to a more limited plan which will enable us to focus on those buildings and students who need more resourses - i.e. time on task, smaller groups, consistency year to year in terminolgy of academics. That coupled with real time data on student progress is making a difference. Choise simply did not change anything to a positive.

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