“New Colorado School Grades website grades schools with simple A through F”
by Yesenia Robies
Denver Post
December 12, 2011
A coalition of 18 community organizations has launched a nearly $1 million Internet-based project that translates state rankings of public schools into simple letter grades.
“Every parent can relate to grades A through F,” said Colorado Succeeds president Tim Taylor, a member of the Colorado School Grades coalition. “We’re not changing inputs, just translating in a way that is clear.”
The website — in English and Spanish — went live today to coincide with the start of choice enrollment for many districts in Colorado.
The launch includes an advertising campaign with 18 billboards across the state and multiple radio and television commercials.
The coalition has been working with the Center for Education Policy Analysis at the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs to determine the grade breakdown.
The state Department of Education ranking system labels 60 percent of public schools in the top category of “performance,” according to Colorado School Grades.
“We thought it would be better to be able to acknowledge who our top performers were,” Taylor said. “Clearly some schools need help too.”
Under the coalition’s grading system, most schools are given a letter C for average, allowing the top performers to be highlighted.
The coalition grades on a curve, allowing only schools with the top 10 percent of scores — based on the state’s calculation — to receive an A.
The state calculations of school rankings take academic growth into high consideration, letting it account for 75 percent of the final score in elementary and middle schools, and 50 percent in high school grades.
The website provides links to the original state school grades.
“Transparency is the most important factor — clear, concise and easy-to-understand information,” Taylor said. “But the second part is taking action.”
In addition to grading every school and allowing side-by-side comparisons, the website provides information on how to reach out to teachers, principals, superintendents, board members and legislators to push for school improvement.
“If someone’s not satisfied with their school’s grades, they can see the different opportunities and suggestions on how to get involved to make an improvement,” Taylor said.
Other coalition members include the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Stand for Children, the Professional Association of Colorado Educators, the Walton Family Foundation and the Adolph Coors Foundation.
Click here to view ColoradoSchoolGrades.com