More than 61 percent of Indiana’s schools received A or B letter grades for the 2011-2012 school year in scores released Wednesday,
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett reviewed the accountability scores at a State Board of Education meeting. He said 40.9 percent of schools earned A’s, 20.1 percent earned B’s, and 20.3 percent of schools earned C’s.
Only 18.6 percent of schools earned D or F grades, similar to last year’s percentage and lower than in the 2009-2010 school year. This year, 207 schools received A’s for the first time.
Locally, Lake County schools recorded 30 A’s, but 21 had F’s, including nine schools in Gary.
In Porter County, 25 schools received an A grade. No schools had an F grade with the lowest grade being a D at Chesterton Middle School.
Bennett said the scores show the state’s accountability methods are working.
“These fair and comprehensive measures of school performance demonstrate that school leaders and teachers are focusing on the skills our students need to succeed in their academic and professional careers,” Bennett said.
Statewide, 28 schools receiving F’s for the 2010-2011 school year earned C’s or higher this year.
Overall, 43 schools moved up at least three letter grades.
Since 2009, the Indiana Department of Education has increased support for struggling schools, dedicating almost $128 million to low performing schools to help them implement dramatic and comprehensive improvement plans.
Gary has three schools receiving intensive state support — the Lew Wallace Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy; the Bailly Preparatory Academy; and the Watson Academy for Boys. All received F’s, however.
This year, controversial new metrics were used to calculate school grades. Factored in for the first time at the high school level were graduation rates and success in Advanced Placement exams.