After reviewing Winlock Miller Elementary’s abysmal performance, we asked: What can we do? Here are evidence based and data-driven solutions proven to work. Best of all? They’re free.
1. Much More Recess. It seems counterintuitive on the surface, but internationally, nationally, and regionally — it works, and works well. Students at Winlock Miller Elementary have less than an hour of recess daily. They need more. The Link Project and the CDC are a great place to start for recommendations and plans of action.
2. Grade Skip Accelerated Students. The myth of a socially stunted, awkward prodigy has been exploded through countless studies. It’s now known accelerating students is often the best option — and keeping them with a chronologically based peer group only hurts them. Studies show as many as 1 to 10 percent of students are performing significantly above grade level. In Winlock, we could expect four to 40 students to advance; last year, we had one. Check out 2004’s A Nation Deceived to start.
3. Retain Struggling Students. Social promotion is poor policy. Harvard (yes, that Harvard) Graduate School of Education found test-based retention in Florida (up to third grade) improved student performance — short and long term — by several different measures. It’s about making sure a child has his or her feet under them; and it’s serving students well. We need to ensure students are capable and comfortable in school; we’re simply setting them up to fail otherwise. Of more than half assessment failing students, Winlock retained zero.
4. Opt Out of Opt Out Scoring. Currently, if a student opts out of taking standardized tests it counts against the school. That’s not accurate or useful information for anyone. Start at the top; call the governor. (360) 902-4111.
5. Demand Goals. The September article quoting Superintendent Dr. Cameron stated, “The district has no specific target for how much it wants scores to improve. … We use a continuous improvement model,” (Dr.) Cameron said.
How convenient! When you have no goals, any incremental change can be hailed a success. A professional educator has no business setting such a low bar. The principal and superintendent must have goals, and a plan of action to accomplish them. It’s incredible this even needs to be said.
Some of these solutions listed may seem impracticable. They’re not. What’s working for other schools can work for us — and, frankly, we’re in no position to judge.
We must demand accountability from school leadership! Winlock Miller Elementary is ranked 972nd of 1137 elementary schools statewide. That’s shameful, given our advantages. And it isn’t my job, or your job, to do their job. We can help our students, support our teachers, and participate as a community (or spend hours researching school statistics and solutions). But at the end of the day, we pay the salaries of school leaders to lead our school. It’s time to insist they do just that.
This area is struggling. Good schools are integral to the growth of our small communities. How long will we tolerate failure?
Shannon and Jason Graham,
Winlock
