SENATE DEMOCRATS CONDEMN SCHOOL “SCARLET LETTER” GRADES

Grading system is a flawed, biased PR-gimmick

AUGUSTA—Senate Democrats condemned the “A” to “F” school grading system announced by Governor Paul LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen this afternoon.

“It is shameful that the governor once again divides our state—this time with another attack on education. This proposal does nothing to help students and instead picks winners and losers,” said Senate President Justin Alfond (D-Portland). “Brandishing schools and communities with arbitrary grades is shaming and unproductive.”

The grading methodology was established without any input from school district administrators school district input, including superintendents, principals, and educators. The grades for elementary and middle schools are based entirely on reading and math standardized test scores; high school grades are based on standardized test scores and graduation rates.

“Standardized test scores don’t reflect the accomplishments of our students,” said Senator Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth), the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “The grades are based on one day of testing. It penalizes those districts that work to keep their students in school longer to make sure they have the appropriate proficiencies before graduating.”

One school in Maine missed a letter grade of “C” by one tenth of a point on a 400 point scale, the equivalent of one student answering one question incorrectly on one standardized test.

Standardized test scores are strongly correlated to poverty, as are the governor’s school grades. On average, more than 60% of the students at “F” schools are eligible for free or reduced lunch, while fewer than 10% of the high school students and only 25% of the elementary school students are eligible for free or reduced lunch at “A” schools.

“These letter grades are more indicative of the hurdles faced by the school than the talent and ability of the teachers working to overcome them and provide each child with a quality education,” said Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville), who serves on the Education Committee. “Children who live in hunger, who only know English as a second language, or who don’t have books in their home, need greater support to reach their full potential, not stigmatization for their family’s economic situation.”

The grading system follows the governor’s proposal to reduce funding for public schools by $39 million over the next two years, and use education funds to create a legal defense fund for charter schools.

“We are working hard in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee to support programs and initiatives that will help our schools to innovate and strengthen their programs,” added Senator Millett. “This grading system is a flawed and unproductive distraction, a ‘Scarlet letter.”

Eighteen of the 44 schools branded with an “F” had more than 70 percent of their student population eligible for free and reduced lunch benefits.

###