How Do You Rank?

How do you rank schools?  In the last several weeks, I've had three separate questions from parents that have gone something like the following:

"Mr. Ascher, I was looking on this website (fill in the blank with a variety of choices) and it showed that your school was ranked 7 out of 10 possible stars.  Why is that?  I think your school should be ranked higher."

The number of websites that allegedly ranks schools is shocking to me.

Actually, I probably shouldn't be shocked.  With the advent of social media and the internet, anyone can create websites or posts on anything.  Realtor and parenting sites encourage their users to leave comments.  I've even heard of some sites where students can leave comments on their guest teachers.  Some sites use metrics that "supposedly" measure schools.  Many of these sites, however, are for-profit sites.  In other words, they make money through advertising dollars.

In Michigan, where I am a principal,  one website reports objective data from the state.  MISchoolData.org is overseen by the state of Michigan, and you can find information about student achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and even student demographics.  The website contains objective data that is meant to help schools be better and to inform citizens on the state of our schools.  Also, this site is a not-for-profit site.

I'm a parent.  I understand.  Using information to make decisions about our own children is not an objective decision.  Rather, it's a very subjective decision.  We want the best for our kids.  We want the best for other people's children.  We listen to what is said about our schools.  We listen at the grocery store, in the neighborhood, and at the ball field.  What people say matters.

I took the opportunity to visit a couple of these sites to see what people were saying about my school.  In many instances I felt a certain amount of pride.  I was affirmed that the work my staff does really makes a difference and is noticed.  In a couple of instances some individuals had written comments that were less than constructive.  A few comments were almost attacks on me.  I suppose that's how these sites work and people communicate.  My wife and I have been very pleased with the schools our daughters have attended, but I've never gone to any website to write positive comments about their teachers or administrators.  People tend to only reply in these sites when they are disgruntled.

Unfortunately, I know that in the course of my career I have been unable to keep all stakeholders happy.  Some of the decisions that I made were out of my control, and sometimes I was not able to please families regardless of my decisions.  I will own all of my decisions--good and bad, but I will not own making sure everyone is happy.  It's just not possible.

What are we to do?

First, I encourage all families to be as objective as possible.  Use data like what is available on MISchoolData.org to make decisons.

Second, visit schools.  Ask challenging questions about academics, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, but also be sure to understand how that school supports social-emotional growth.

Next, be engaged with your child's school.  This means to volunteer in the classrooms or to help lead a PTO event.  Are you actively reading school newsletters?  Are you building positive, two-way relationships with your child's teachers?  Consider how you can help make the school even better. 

Finally, don't worry so much about rankings and what is posted by a few people.  Make a decision based on your personal experiences. 

Will any school be perfect?  No. 

Should we hold schools accountable?  Yes. 

Should we be part of the solution to help our schools be better?  Yes, please.