Reply to Release of State School Grades

Wawasee Community Schools congratulate Wawasee High School for receiving an A grade for the 2011-2012 school year!

As a district, Wawasee Community Schools received a C grade from the state this year even though our test scores were very similar to 2010-2011.  Last year, Wawasee was an A school district.  What happened?

•  Wawasee test scores were 1% lower in 2011-2012.
•  Any dip in test scores results in a drop of at least a letter grade from the state.
•  The state grading scale for schools changed to A=4, B=3.5, C=3, D=2, F=1. The grading scale we grew up with was A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
•  The state changed their grading scale and implemented letter grade deductions for dips in scores causing more schools statewide to have lower grades.
•  Wawasee is teaching the common core state standards curricula used by over 40 states. Indiana is still testing over the old state standards curricula.
•  Wawasee appealed state grades at every school except Wawasee High School. We remain uncertain withe the validity of the state's data. Two Kosciusko County schools dropped from A's to C's and had higher scores than a school which declined and remained an A grade. 

Reasons don’t matter to folks, though, when all of Wawasee Schools aren’t solid A’s or B’s.  As teachers, administrators, and staff members, we work hard to meet student needs.  There is a saying of “Work smarter, not harder.”  As Wawasee Community Schools move forward, we will commit ourselves to using student data and available resources to work smarter to reach our goals.