Perspective Narrative:
As a parent moving into the district I would be pleased that the school provides the state average of instructional time, five hours and forty-two minutes, and that the majority of grade-leveled classes are below state average (NJDE, 2010). I would inquire how the school intends to keep its classes this way and whether or not this is a goal. As a parent who would want my child to be ready with 21st century skills I would question that the school does have a below state average of technology and inquire how, if at all, teachers are integrating this list of skills into their classroom (NJDE, 2010). Looking at demographics the mixed population of ethnicities would be a strong attribute for the school, with almost 21% speaking spanish (NJDE, 2010). I would see that spending is strong per student and that teacher experience and education is high (NJDE, 2010). I would keep this in mind while touring the school and interviewing my child’s potential teachers.
As an administrator I would take some valuable information from our report card. First, I would be proud to see that student mobility has gone down (NJDE, 2010). This means that more students are receiving an education in a consistent environment and perhaps this is a reflection of our program gaining strength. I would want to further examine the increased percentages between grades three to four and then five to six that reveal students needing more support and challenges in Language Arts and Math (NJDE, 2010) . For example I would examine what caused partial proficiency with the 5th grade group in 2008-2009 to increase by such a large percentage (NJDE, 2010). I would also see that the fifth grade classes of the two years shown demonstrated rather different ratings and work with the teacher to think through whether or not there was a change in the program and/or test that year (NJDE, 2010).
As a teacher, I would see areas of strength and needed improvement. I would be proud of some years show areas of improvement. I would also be honest enough to see where weaknesses exist and work with my upper grade team to reflect on the different programs, student abilities and changes in the program that could better student readiness for subject matter that could be presented on the test. However, as a teacher I would keep in mind that this one glimpse of all that students are capable of and there is more to them than percentages and categories.
As a teacher I would wonder why the school reports such above average state spending, per pupil, as we continue to ask for furniture of better quality and provide a lot of our own supplies.
As a taxpayer with no children in the district my eyes would travel to the bottom portion of the report card where money and teacher skills are discussed. I would be happy to see that a high percentage, 33.3%, of teachers hold a masters (NJDE, 2010). However it does not state when the masters was obtained and professional development attended by teachers. I would also see that the school relies heavily on local taxes for survival (88% compared to the state average of 63%). I would see that teacher salaries are fairly high above the state average, most likely a contribution to the majority of teachers having a masters and twenty years plus experience. As a taxpayer I would observe that a lot of money at the school goes to affording special education students the needed programs that include outside services (NJDE, 2010).
I would ask further questions that can not be answered, such as what teaching strategies are being used to improve learning related to test scores as well as the professional development provided by the leadership to teachers.
Source:
New Jersey Department of Education (2010) New Jersey Department of Education School Report Card 2009-2010 Retrieved June 5, 2011 from http://bit.ly/mmzVUG
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