Folks have been asking, “Why did the State Board cancel the news conference and then release all the data on the Internet?” The Charlotte Observer gives some credit to the Locke Foundation (Terry Stoops & myself): ?But with reporters demanding the ratings and the conservative John Locke Foundation accusing the board of covering up a “test score fiasco,” the state quietly posted the results online Wednesday afternoon, labeling them preliminary.?
However, releasing the data on the Internet as ?preliminary? and not ?approved? by the State Board kept individual student?s report and the school?s report from being sent to each student?s home this week. Just happens a few days before the election.
Each system received an email yesterday at 9:08 am instructing:
Many busy parents not watching media reports would have found out their child and school did not perform as well as in the previous year IF the embargo had been lifted, and reports sent home. These parents might have possibly taken out their frustration in the ballot box. The stakes were too high for the GOMS (Gatekeepers of Mediocrity) to take that chance ? too many school board races, and of course the near Billion Dollar bond package in Wake County.
The reports are ready! The information is there to be given to parents! It is just sitting in school systems across the state. and will be available for parents TWO days after the election.
I am sorry Chairman Lee had knee surgery, and I am sure the timing was inconvenient, BUT to use that as the excuse is going a bit far. This is Chairman Lee?s statement to school systems, and parents across the state:
I know that many of you have been preparing for and anticipating the release of the 2005-06 ABCs results today. We have been on a very aggressive course of work over the last two months. Unfortunately, Board action on these results will be delayed until Nov. 9.
This additional time will enable me to be fully briefed on the ABCs results and their implications for local school districts. Because of recent surgery, which has sidetracked me over the last two weeks, I have not been able to be fully engaged in this process. Some school districts across the state have communicated concerns that they have regarding this year’s release and the need for ample time to ensure that all schools are being appropriately and fairly evaluated. I believe it is in the best interests of all public schools that I take the time to ensure that their concerns have been addressed.
Department of Public Instruction staff has done their work to complete this year’s ABCs analyses. I need additional time to be ready to bring this to the full Board for action. I look forward to this process being completed soon. We will be in touch with local superintendents and other local staff with additional details as appropriate.
