District 206 schools celebrate new accountability system

Recently, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released the 2011-12 results of the new accountability system for Minnesota public schools. The overall results for School District 206 indicate that three elementary schools (Lincoln, Carlos and Garfield) were designated as Reward Schools, and two elementary schools (Miltona and Woodland) were recognized as Celebration Eligible.

Reward Schools are the highest-performing 15 percent of Title I schools in the state. Celebration Eligible schools are the 10 percent of Title I schools just below the highest-performing Reward Schools. Celebration Eligible Schools need to submit an application explaining quantitative and qualitative factors that make the schools effective. District 206 will research the application process for Miltona and Woodland since they are eligible for celebration school designation.

Under the new state accountability system, schools are given an overall annual multiple measurement rating (MMR), as well as a focus rating (FR), which measures performance of subgroups for which there is an achievement gap.

The subgroups who primarily contribute to District 206’s FR are free/reduced price lunch and special education due to the low numbers in other subgroups. The new ratings are the result of the waiver granted to the state of Minnesota from the federal No Child Left Behind law and replace Adequate Yearly Progress ratings.

According to Julie Critz, director of teaching and learning, understanding the scores is complex. It is recommended that parents pay close attention to their own child’s performance at their grade level to ensure that their son/daughter show expected annual growth.

Tags: local news, news, schools