Blog: "How're we doin'?" in Northshore?

I grew up in NJ during the 3 terms of NYC Mayor Ed Koch, who would famously ask, “How’m I doin’?”  REAL leaders, and all people who want to improve the world around them, ask for evaluations often, and understand criticisms are opportunities for growth.

In schools at this time of year, evaluations are taking place in various forms.  Students are evaluated by in-class assessments and dread standardized tests. Teachers are evaluated by their principals.  Schools are evaluated based on how the students performed on those standardized tests (the even more dread AYP).  School Boards evaluate the Superintendent and do self-evaluations.  (The best evaluation of School Boards comes in the fall during election years).

We in the Northshore School District have long believed our schools are doing well.  We are usually considered “one of the top districts in the state.”  But what does that really mean, anyway?

First, let me say that being near the top of a state that routinely ranks IN THE BOTTOM 25% is nothing to crow about.  We all know that the US is getting our butts kicked in Math and Science by a variety of other countries, large and small.  We can’t really answer the question “How’re we doin’?” compared to top schools in other countries, but it turns out we can at least compare our HSs to the top HSs in the US.  It’s the best evaluation we have right now.

US News and World Report released its rankings of all US HSs.  Here’s a link to the best HSs in WA:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington

The analysis “is based on the key principles that a great high school must serve all of its students well, not just those who are college-bound, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show the school is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.” 

So…what’s the answer?  Well, there is good news and bad news.  First the good:

Inglemoor HS is ranked 11th in the state, and 411th nationwide, garnering a Gold Medal (given to the top 500 HSs in the nation).  Inglemoor’s International Baccalaureate ( IB) program clearly makes this HS stand out.

Woodinville HS (21st in WA and 811th in US) and Bothell High (41st and 1772nd) both received Silver Medals.  HSs ranked #501-2008 received Silvers.

While all 3 of our HSs have results that are laudable, there is cause for concern.  While about 90% of the students at each of our HSs are proficient in reading, only about 70% of our kids are deemed proficient in Math and Science – knowledge needed for the jobs of tomorrow! 

Another measure is the “College Readiness Index”, which examines the % students who take very rigorous coursework – either Advanced Placement (AP) or IB courses – and the % who pass the AP or IB test at the end of each course.  Nationwide, 26 schools received a score of 100 – all of their students take AP or IB courses, and they all pass the tests.

In NSD, Inglemoor rated a 49, Woodinville 36 and Bothell a 19.  This means that we have less than half our HS students taking the kinds of rigorous courses that will prepare them for college-level classes, and at BHS, only 23% of kids even take AP courses.

In our own backyard, 4 of the top 10 HSs in WA are in Bellevue SD.   Newport HS in Bellevue has a size and demographics similar to our 3 HSs, but has a College Readiness Index of 73.5, with 84% of their kids taking 5-6 AP classes each.   One major difference between NSD and surrounding SDs is Algebra 1.  By taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade, students have room in their schedules to take a higher-level (AP) Math class in HS.  In Northshore, Algebra 1 is normally taken in 9th grade, and in 8th grade in the Challenge sequence. Only 25-30% of NSD students complete Algebra 1 by 8th grade.  Algebra 1 is the regular-track 8th grade class in Bellevue SD (and other SDs as well).

Knowing the importance of these data, NSD put in place “Goals and Performance Measures.”  http://www.nsd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?cms_mode=view&sectiondetailid=96617&go=&& 

I urge all parents to go to this page, read the Goals, and look at the embedded Power Point Presentations. Understand the importance of your children taking certain classes at the appropriate time so they can achieve their goals.

Our school district is asking itself “How’re we doin’?”  It is a start.  There is a lot of work to do.