PD Editorial: Deciphering new report card for public schools

California schools just got their new report cards, and anyone who wants to understand them will need to do some homework.

The multi-variable, multi-colored school dashboard released last week covers more ground than the old Academic Performance Index, which generated a number primarily based on standardized test scores.

By expanding the focus, state education officials say they're providing a more complete picture of each school.

Perhaps that's the goal. But the new system seems needlessly complicated, using a mishmash of graphs and rating numbers separated into various tab charts without clearly explaining the objectives and standards schools are being measured against.

There are no statewide averages for comparison. Neither are there any overall rankings for schools or school districts.

Comparing color-coded charts from school to another can be misleading. The charts reflect a combination of performance and recent trends, so a school with traditionally high academic scores that suffers a one-year drop could find itself in the same category as a school that bumped up after a long run of low scores.

And a Los Angeles Times analysis found evidence of grade inflation: Half of students reached state benchmarks for math and English in recent testing, yet the dashboard rates 80 percent of schools in the top three categories.

The dashboard is, at best, a work in progress.

Even finding information for a particular school can be a frustrating experience. We searched for “Santa Rosa” and received a list of six local schools. But the links for Santa Rosa High School and Santa Rosa Middle School produced this puzzling message: “Alternative schools and recently opened schools are not included in the Dashboard report for the Spring 2017 release.” We got the same message for Elsie Allen, Montgomery and Piner high schools.

Alternative schools? Recently opened? Really?

Maybe we didn't spend enough time with the 38-slide PowerPoint demonstration on how to use the California School Dashboard. Or maybe it needs some adjustments before it can be considered a useful tool for measuring the strengths and weaknesses of California's public schools.

A reliable tool for ascertaining school quality is vitally important. Parents, employers and home buyers want to know about local schools, and open enrollment policies amplify the need for good information. There is no choice without it.

There was some truth to educators' objections that the old Academic Performance Index reflected the socioeconomic status rather than the academic performance of a school or district. The state set out to develop a more comprehensive assessment system as local school districts were given greater flexibility in curriculum and spending decisions.

Michael Kirst, the president of the state Board of Education, said the dashboard will be “a far more valuable tool one year from now and three years from now … as more indicators come online, as feedback is incorporated and as improvements are made.”

We hope so. For now, however, the grade for this project is incomplete.