Tulsa Public School superintendent Keith Ballard says he is done talking about the grading system implemented for Oklahoma schools.
The grades were released on Thursday after a delay caused when 313 Oklahoma school superintendents fought to stop the State Department of Education from releasing the grades. Only four Tulsa Public Schools received A grades.
In a letter sent to parents on Friday, Dr. Ballard reiterated his belief the grading system is "flawed" and "not an accurate representation of the work being done in schools."
Ballard instead listed positive things happening in the district:
- Our Teacher Leader Effectiveness initiative is a nationally-recognized model
- We are working to insure an effective teacher in every classroom and a great leader in every building
- TPS’ teacher evaluation system has been adopted by 500 school districts in the state
- Our relationship with Teach for America has provided students the opportunity for five additional weeks of instruction during the summer, and participation among students has tripled.
- Students on average achieved 75 percent of their performance goals
- Improvements have been made to establish a common curriculum throughout the district
- The hard work done under Project Schoolhouse is bearing fruit as we are seeing improved student achievement at the 6th grade level and at Will Rogers College High School
Ballard also said as of today he will no longer discuss the grading system, urging parents to follow their own judgement about how their students are doing in school.
Ballard's entire letter is attached to this story.
Union officials also sent this comment about the grading system:
We are disappointed with the ruling and wish the State Board of Education had been more sensitive to concerns, expressed by parents and educators throughout Oklahoma, about the validity of the calculations. The grades for Union Schools, which range from A through C, will be made available to our parents with an explanation of the calculations which state leaders have conceded are flawed.
