Dear List members There have been gains - a track record of gains - in student achievement across race and socio-economic indicators over the past four years at MPS. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to voice it strenuously in this forum. For those interested in data on student achievement at MPS please vist the hotlink http://mpls.k12.mn.us/curriculum/test_scores.shtml
Review the major findings in the district achievement report. This covers 1999-2000 and should be updated soon to include 2001. The District Achievement Report does include a "Major Findings" summary for those who do not wish to wade through chart after chart. We are not satisfied with the gains. We have not closed the gap between the achievement of white students and the achievement of students of color. We believe we can improve and a key strategy will be investing in improving the quality of teaching. On the issue of class size there will be a report to the board shortly on where we stand but suffice it to say we take the referendum class size promise seriously. We budget to meet class size allocations based on student enrollment projections, school choice preferences of students and families etc. I can affirm that anyone can find a class size that is over the referendum promise but I will assert and we should have data shortly to confirm that overwhelmingly, across the district we are hitting our referedum class size targets. Where we miss, and again I can guarantee that there are cases in MPS where there are more students in a classroom, it is due to the difference between budget and enrollment projections and reality. Folks, its a dynamic equilibrium. If we could perfectly predict in spring exact student enrollment projections for the next fall, and perfectly factor in the impact of changes in transportation service, and perfectly project the result of family choices for the next fall's enrollment, we could get closer to perfectly meeting the class size referendum commitment. Students and families making school choices do not behave like soldiers marching in regiments on parade! School buildings and classrooms are known quantities and are relatively inelastic given the class size commitment. The variables affecting enrollment are quite dyanmic and less than predictable. Two quick examples. First 9/11. The US closed its borders until January 02. Immigration in has yet to reach the pre-9/11 levels. We had to throw out our English Language Learner enrollment projection and just guess how many new arrivals we would have. Second, hurrricane Mitch hitting Central America some years ago dislocated thousands who over time began to arrive where? Yep... Minneapolis and MPS. I would ask folks to consider the following: Does MPS monitor and publicly report data on this issue. Answer: Yes! Is MPS substantially compliant with the referendum class size promise. I believe the report to an early December Board of Ed meeting will reveal that the Answer is: Yes! Does MPS intervene on the basis of data to bring non-compliant sites into compliance. Answer: Yes! Jim Grathwol MPS Director Gov't Relations 612-668-0223 11-2
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