These studies are all biased by what they consider and what hey don't, but according to Education Week's "Quality Counts" report issued this week, Utah doesn't do very well in education outcomes.
Brenda Hales, Associate Superintendent at USOE, makes the point about bias: "The report did not give Utah credit for such items as professional development opportunities, student-teaching for teachers in training, or mentoring programs for new principals because those things are not required explicitly by state law, even though they are common practice in Utah," she said.
But I have to say that I'm overall very disappointed in the establishment's response to such data. No matter what Education Week specifically leaves out of their report, how can educators and those responsible for education in Utah be satisfied with the results we get here? But some are.
Liz Zentner, president-elect of the Utah PTA, said she dislikes negative reports such as Quality Counts. The low grade, she said, belies the reality she sees in Utah classrooms. “Because of the parental involvement and the incredible teachers we have, Utah’s public schools are really fantastic,” said Zentner, who lives in Granite School District. “There’s no way to put grades on schools.”
There is a way to put grades on schools. Utah law requires it, and dozens of education advocacy organizations, including the federal government, do it all the time. But when Zentner and other establishment-types put their head in the sand and say our schools are "really fantastic," no matter what he data says, advocates of education improvement and reform have to sigh heavily.
Our results are not what they should be, and not enough of those in charge are willing to take real steps to change that.
1 comment:
While a solid thought piece, it is your last line Lincoln that should be the rallying cry for every parent, student, taxpayer, business owner, etc. in Utah. I know it is never enjoyable to be criticized, but I also know in every job I have ever had, I also underwent some sort of evaluation and even various certifications to qualify for raises, other opportunities, even the job itself. Making excuses is what we get when a lack of vision exists in any field or business or even in personal lives.
Hopefully UAPCS, UCN, PCE, Children First and all other organizations in Utah focused on the success of kids and how educational options play a role in that success will be successful at the legislature. And that they will continually shine a light on this sort of visionless leadership we tend to experience too often in Utah.
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