12 States Get Failing Grades on Public School Policies From Advocacy Group

"The State with the Best Education Wins!"

In just a few short years, state legislatures and education agencies across the country have sought to transform American public education by passing a series of laws and policies overhauling teacher tenure, introducing the use of standardized test scores in performance evaluations and expanding charter schools.

Such policies are among those pushed by StudentsFirst http://www.studentsfirst.org/ , the advocacy group led by Michelle A. Rhee, the former schools chancellor in Washington. Ms. Rhee has generated debate in education circles for aggressive pursuit of her agenda and the financing of political candidates who support it.

In a report issued Monday, StudentsFirst ranks states based on how closely they follow the group’s platform, looking at policies related not only to tenure and evaluations but also to pensions and the governance of school districts. The group uses the classic academic grading system, awarding states A to F ratings.

With no states receiving an A, two states receiving B-minuses and 12 states branded with an F, StudentsFirst would seem to be building a reputation as a harsh grader.

By MOTOKO RICH

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/education/studentsfirst-issues-low-ratings-on-school-policies.html?hp&_r=1&

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StudentsFirst created the State Policy Report Card to evaluate the education laws and policies in place in each state. We hope this helps reveal more about what states are doing to improve the nation’s public education system so that it serves all students well and puts each and every one of them on a path toward success.

We believe state policies must empower parents to make the best choices for their children, and they must enable school administrators to recognize, reward, and retain the best teachers and principals. Using common-sense education policies, states must create opportunities for innovation, improvement, and reform. In states with strong, student-centered policies, all stakeholders — parents, students, teachers, and district and school leaders — are able to work together to make schools better for kids.

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Currently, Montana’s education policies do not prioritize great teaching, empowering parents with quality choices, or using resources wisely to raise student achievement. The state trails most of the country when it comes to embracing critical education reforms. Montana does not evaluate teachers and principals in a meaningful way, and it does not link student performance, educator performance, and district personnel and salary decisions. Montana parents have no choices for better public school opportunities, such as public charter schools, and no meaningful information about school or teacher performance. The state has no authority to intervene when schools and districts are not meeting expectations, and school boards are not held accountable for increasing student outcomes with their investments. Finally, Montana should no longer lock teachers into the existing outdated pension system and should instead offer a more attractive, portable retirement option.

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Select a state to see what it is doing to put students first.

http://reportcard.studentsfirst.org/