We are struck by the irony of the LFC and the LESC’s recommendation to eliminate the small school size funding for small schools in New Mexico and the most recent Education Week 2011 Quality Counts Education report as reported in a press release from New Mexico’s new Secretary of Education, Hanna Skandera. Below is the press release from the NMPED and the NMSBA (New Mexico Standards Based Assessment) scores for the Southwest Learning Centers for comparison. The three schools, Southwest Primary Learning Center, Southwest Intermediate Learning Center and Southwest Secondary Learning Center have among the highest NM Standards Based Assessment scores in math and reading in the state for 2010.
We are certain that the “F” grade in the K-12 Achievement category earned by New Mexico in the report is embarrassing and will prompt a call for immediate action for any school in any district that has not met a level of acceptable proficiency.
2010 NMSBA SPLC SILC SSLC APS State of NM
Math 97.6 84.7 74.2 44.4 41.8
Reading 95.1 97.3 87.9 54.5 53.2
These scores, when objectively compared to the traditional school system, lead one to ask why charter schools continue to be targets of legislators, school boards, and teachers’ unions? What is the real agenda? Is the elimination of school choice for thousands of families in New Mexico the ultimate goal?
We propose that Legislators pass a bill to begin studying the successful charter school models found throughout New Mexico. And then, move to replicate those models in the traditional school system. We stand by our happy kids with pleased parents with stellar results in the face of those who would choose to stop our progress and end the dream of a quality, challenging and engaging education for all the kids and the adults. The consequences of losing three of the most successful schools are so grave and devastating that we can only pray that the strength of our “A+” achievement will take us into the future. The Southwest Learning Centers and charter schools throughout Albuquerque proudly serve up education differently - saving taxpayer dollars by sharing facilities, utilizing creative scheduling, offering innovative curriculum delivery models and by pursuing a common educational philosophy – a philosophy centered on the child’s needs – not the needs of administrators and teachers.
The following outlines the details of the Education Week report. Thank goodness we have the charter schools to keep New Mexico from slipping further down the educational rankings on K-12 Educational Achievement.
Original PED Press Release:
New Mexico Ranked 32nd and Maintains a C on 2011 Quality Counts Education Report
State Receives an F for K-12 Achievement
(Santa Fe, NM) -- New Mexico received a Quality Counts ranking of 32nd in the nation and received an overall grade of C in Education Week magazine’s annual education report card, “Uncertain Forecast” released today.
Overall, the Quality Counts report gave New Mexico a C, 75.7 points out of 100 points. Last year, New Mexico received 76.4 points and was ranked 24th. In 2009, New Mexico received a C+ and was ranked 22nd with a score of 76.9.
“While New Mexico maintained its overall C ranking, there is a lot of room for improvement,” said New Mexico Education Secretary Hanna Skandera. “This administration will focus all decisions on what is in the best interest of students. It is unacceptable that New Mexico has an F in K-12 achievement and that our rankings have decreased each year. Partnering with students, parents, community leaders, school boards, teachers, principals, and superintendents, we must raise academic achievement and build on proven success. For every decision that needs to be made, we will ask, ‘Are New Mexico students the winners in this decision?’ Our focus must be on the classroom, ensuring greater transparency and fiscal accountability while understanding the unique characteristics of our state, communities, districts and schools. If students are first, New Mexico wins.”
Education Week tracked six areas of policy and performance for this comprehensive assessment of the state of American education.
For more information on this report and New Mexico results, go to http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2011/01/13/index.html
Impressive scores. Is this for all subgroups? How do minority and low income students score at each school?
ReplyDeleteCheck out the AYP Reports for the three schools! There is no achievement gap for subgroups! Economically disadvantaged and minority students have high scores that are not significantly different than the highest levels attained.
ReplyDeleteSouthwest Intermediate and Southwest Primary low income, black, and hispanic students have scored higher than their anglo counterparts for the past two years. Southwest Secondary scores have no significant statistical deviation for any group.
ReplyDeleteI will attempt to post a link to each of the schools' report card on this blog in the coming days.
Last Thursday night's parent meeting allowed me an opportunity to reflect on our past experiences with SLC. As a parent of a past graduate of SLC, I remember working and helping at the old school location on Montgomery. Painting and fixing up the old post office building were just the beginning of the charter school challenges and getting ready for this adventure. The transition to our current location, putting three schools, a smart lab, and a gym under one roof and achieving outstanding results have continued to add to these memories. The administration and staff have developed an educational environment that encourages learning, is a safe and respectable environment, and one that generates results that are shown in the PED press release. Most schools can only desire what SLC has accomplished.
ReplyDeleteThe key message which I took with me is that there are many who feel passionate about SLC. Just look around the environment, go into the classrooms, the learning center, smart lab, and other areas of the SLC complex. Take note of the professional staff that are providing a proactive educational environment for every individual student.
After you look around and take in this special environment, then consider what the impact of $1 Million dollars of lost funding will do. Imagine SLC gone! We must let Santa Fe know that the small school adjustment in funding must not be changed.
I believe that some of the members of the legislature do not understand what SLC does and achieves. To them, this is a numbers issue, not an alternative education issue. I expect to hear the same thoughts from the leaders in APS as they are tasked with cutting their extensive budget; this is only a numbers issue no matter what they may say.
Because of this, we must proactively contact the members of the legislature including the members of the Department of Education and the Cabinet Secretary. Change is not easy but we have managed to be highly successful. Just look at what has evolved at SLC from its beginning. Losing what we have gained due to an uninformed legislative body would be devastating. Please get a copy of the key individuals to contact and just do it! This is not for someone else to do; we all have a vested interest in supporting SLC.