Record 79 schools released from priority status in Michigan; 38 schools at risk of closure

Move marks highest number of schools released from priority list in MI history

The Michigan School Reform Office announced Friday that 79 schools identified as needing improvement have been released from the priority school list after meeting the exit standards.

With 79 schools being released from priority status, it's the highest number in Michigan school reform history.

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"For the first time in the history of the SRO, more schools are being released from priority school status than are being identified,” School reform officer Natasha Baker said. "It is our mission to turn priority schools into the highest performing schools in the state. We do this through academic accountability because every child -- regardless of their demographics -- deserves access to quality educational opportunities. When kids are well educated, they can go to college or access a high-wage job or career after high school."

VIEW: List of 79 schools released from priority list

Friday's release includes schools identified between 2010 and 2014. Every year, schools in the bottom 5 percent of all public schools in Michigan are named priority schools and monitored for turnaround.

Schools are eligible to exit priority status if they meet three exit criteria after four years of creating redesign plans:

  • Top-to-bottom requirement: The school must have a top-to-bottom percentile rank of 5 or higher.
  • Annual measurable objective: The school must meet its annual measurable objectives for both math and reading in the all-students subgroup.
  • Assessment participation requirement: The school must have at least a 95 percent participation rate on all required state assessments.
  • Schools also receive support and resources from the U.S. Department of Education, Michigan Department of Education and local Intermediate School District.

    "Many times, the additional resources from the MDE and ISDs improve conditions. Other times, more action is necessary so kids can be prepared for a good life after high school," Baker said. "Because we want all kids to have a good life after high school, our office is responsible for taking action when schools have been chronically failing for several years."

    The SRO named 38 schools at risk of closure in its 2016 list of schools in the bottom 5 percent. Over the next 30 to 45 days, the SRO will examine the geographic, academic and enrollment capacity of other public school options for children of the 38 schools.

    VIEWList of schools identified for the next level of accountability

    If closing a school would cause unreasonable hardship for the students because no better options are available, the SRO will rescind the closure notice and try a different turnaround option.

    Detroit Public Schools interim superintendent Alycia Meriweather released the following statement:

    "Detroit Public Schools Community District is acutely aware of the academic performance of our progressing schools. The district’s administrators, teachers, and staff continue to analyze performance data in order to identify and implement tools, metrics, and resources that support academic growth. As part of our fresh start, DPSCD implemented our new Academic Plan grounded in five pillars designed to lay the foundation for system-wide turnaround in literacy, innovation, wrap-around services, career pathways and family engagement. We have a renewed focus on implementing our Academic Plan, maintaining our improved financial standing, and developing innovative models to reach our goal of excellence in education for all of our students."

    MDE releases school score cards

    The Michigan Department of Education released its 2016 school score cards, using its color-coded score cards and top-to-bottom list for the final time.

    "With the continued improvements to our state assessment system, we promised to still be transparent and hold schools accountable for student achievement," state superintendent Brian Whiston said. "These score cards are a good diagnostic tool for local schools to drive improvement and instruction. Schools will be able to look at their data and see which groups of students need more attention and individualized instruction. A major part of accountability is transparency and the communication of information to schools, parents, and their communities."

    MDE announced it will not assign consequences to schools struggling to raise achievement. Instead, it's recognizing high-achieving schools.

    There are 219 schools that met the reward schools criteria for 2015-16. Reward schools didn't receive a red scorecard and have achieved one or more of the following distinctions:

    • Top 5 percent of schools on the top-to-bottom list
    • Top 5 percent of schools making the greatest gains in achievement (improvement)
    • Beating the odds by outperforming the school’s predicted ranking and/or similar schools

    You can view the full list of the 219 reward schools by clicking here.

    MDE announced there are 89 of schools that have earned their way off focus school status this year, as a result of having above average improvement or achievement by the lowest-performing 30 percent of their students in math and English language arts, compared to statewide averages in the lowest-performing 30 percent group of students in those two subjects over two years.

    "These schools have shown tremendous results in raising the academic achievement and improvement of their most struggling students," Whiston said. "To have this many schools removing themselves from Focus Schools’ designations, on the heels of 96 schools exiting last year’s list, shows sustained progress statewide. I commend the teachers, students, principals, and parents for their hard work and improvement."

    Retained as focus schools are 124 schools from the 2012, 2013 and 2014 cohorts, including the 2014 cohort’s 104 schools, which currently are ineligible for release until they are in a cohort for at least two years. Four of the focus schools in those cohorts have closed, including one charter school and three traditional schools.

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    About the Author:

    Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.