Local schools graded by Indiana Department of Education
Fewer Indiana schools received A’s for the performance rating according to the Indiana Department of Education, but the changes weren’t as drastic as expected.
The grades are based on ISTEP scores as well as a new formula that measures the growth in test-scores by students when measured against the past scores of their peers in other parts of the state.
Here are the scores for area schools:
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
- Jasper High School- A
- Jasper Middle School – A
- Ireland Elementary School – A
- Tenth Street School – D
- Fifth Street School – D
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools will speak about the grades they received at the November 5 , 6:30 p.m. community forum. The event will be held at the Jasper High School Auditorium
Northeast Dubois School Corporation
- Northeast Dubois High School – A
- Dubois Middle School – A
- Dubois Elementary School- C
- Celestine Elementary School – A
Southeast Dubois School Corporporation
- Cedar Crest Intermediate School – A
- Ferdinand Elementary School – A
- Pine Ridge Elementary School – A
- Forest Park Junior-Senior High School – B
Southwest Dubois School Corp.
- Southridge Middle School – A
- Holland Elementary School – A
- Huntingburg Elementary School – A
- Southridge High School – B
Parochial Schools
- Precious Blood School – A
- Holy Family School – A
As in the past with other schools here in Dubois County and elsewhere receiving less-than-stellar or acceptable ratings of one kind or another, I’m sure there will be much consternation and wiggling (excuses) at Monday’s community forum in trying to allay and detract from the D grades received by two Jasper schools – the only two such grades received of all the Dubois County schools listed.
There’s no doubt the system, to include a “new formula” plus other criteria used (and not used) for grading, is imperfect, and I don’t claim to know the why and wherefore of how these grades came to be, but as there are 14 schools listed and these are the only two D grades among all the others receiving mostly As and a couple of Bs (and one C), it seems more than random, arbitrary, or by any chance of circumstance or, Lord forbid, selective or unfair. If it were for the latter reasons, I’m sure at least a few more of the 14 schools would have also received similar grades.
I hope the forum is a humble but serious attempt to address head-on the real issues of why and how these grades were assigned, and what improvements and changes can be implemented. Remember, it is for our students – our children and the future of our community – not for any prestige or because of embarrassment in a community so enamored with being the best of the best.