Because most Washington school districts don’t have 100 percent of their students passing state math and reading tests, the federal No Child Left Behind law says the districts must send letters to families explaining why.
But the districts don’t have to like it, and 28 school superintendents have jointly written a second letter they will send along with the first, explaining why they think their schools are doing much better than the No Child letters make it seem.
“Some of our state’s and districts’ most successful and highly recognized schools are now being labeled ‘failing’ by an antiquated law that most educators and elected officials — as well as the U.S. Department of Education — acknowledge isn’t working,” the cover letter states. The letter is signed by John Welch, superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District, which represents the 28 districts.
The signees include Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Lake Washington, Northshore, Renton and Tacoma school districts.
In April, Washington became the first state in the country to lose its waiver because it does not mandate districts to use student scores on state tests as part of judging how well teachers do their jobs. That meant the letters, which Washington schools haven’t had to send for a few years, now must go to parents.
Local Angle: Clark County districts opt against own letters
Unlike the Puget Sound school districts, Clark County school districts are not sending a second letter to parents explaining the progress students have made.
The sample letter from the Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction was four pages. Each school district could choose to localize its letter, but all letters had to be approved by OSPI, said Lori Simpson, spokeswoman for Educational Service District 112.
“Our districts are localizing the OSPI letter to their local districts,” said Simpson. “For example, Battle Ground’s letter has all the elements, but it’s cut down to 1½ pages.”
Most Clark County school districts are mailing their waiver letters to parents this week. Most local schools begin either Sept. 2 and 3, which is two weeks away. Districts must mail the waiver letters at least two weeks before school begins.
“Nearly every Washington school will be labeled as failing under the NCLB requirements because 100 percent of our students must meet standards,” said Barbara Lomas, associate superintendent of teaching and learning at ESD 112. “While we strongly believe all students can learn, this is an unreasonable expectation.”
Washington’s waiver from the accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act was not renewed for the 2014-2015 school year. The state has been operating under a conditional waiver for the past two school years.
“During that time, all of our districts have experienced gains in student growth,” said John Deeder, superintendent at Evergreen Public Schools, the largest district in Clark County. “Unfortunately for our students and staff who have worked so hard, their progress is not fully recognized under the NCLB requirements,” Deeder said.
“We are proud of the significant academic progress of our students,” said Steve Webb, superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools. “While not all students have reached proficiency, our use of targeted resources to assist struggling students and schools has made a real difference, which we see in performance data not taken into account by NCLB … Schools have more work to do. We are committed to continuous improvement,” Webb said.
— Susan Parrish
