The tables have turned for Indiana schools.
Tables turning for local schools
Instead of students being graded, schools are the ones getting report cards.
The Indiana Department of Education has released its A-to-F Accountability Report.
Some schools passed with flying colors. Others, did not.
Penn-Harris-Madison Schools scored straight A's in all 15 of its schools, but the news wasn't as good for Elkhart, Mishawaka and South Bend.
A "D" is not what any parent or administrator wants to see.
"I don't feel and I know we're not a D school," said John J. Young Middle School Principal Mickey Roelandts.
But that's the grade John J. Young Middle School in Mishawaka got along with LaSalle Elementary after the Indiana Department of Education looked at I-STEP and other student scores. Administrators say they will turn that D around.
"In terms of curriculum, I would say we're focusing on writing; That is a big part of our day," said Roelandts. "Each and every classroom is focused on writing, and it's all across the curriculum."
In South Bend, 8 schools got an "F" including Harrison Primary Center and Perley Fine Arts Academy.
But there were a few shining stars like Tarkington Traditional Center, which got an "A."
"We're ecstatic. It's a testament to all the hard work we've done over the last two years," said Principal Melinda Ehmer.
At Tarkington, officials closely monitored individual student performance. They gave students struggling extra attention. At the same time, they didn't ignore advanced students, pushing them to excel even further.
In the Elkhart Community School Corporation, North Side Middle School went from an "F" in 2011 to an "A" this year.
"Very impressed with curriculum instruction to allow students to have high grades," said Elkhart Community Schools Superintendent Robert Haworth.
But Elkhart's Pierre Moran Middle and Mary Beck Elementary Schools each scored an "F."
"If we have a school that received an F, we need to make that into a D, C, B or the next time," Haworth said.
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Comments (6)
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whattim at 2:42 PM November 01, 2012
The school board and union must be proud of what they are doing for the kids. If schools are getting D's and F's is it any surprise the kids are failing? It is sad that that union leaders protect bad teachers and the school board are ensuring the kids will fail. Boy if Roger Parent and his nephew Co-Mayyor Pete really apply themselves they will wreck the city faster. great job!
SamColt at 10:12 PM October 31, 2012
Unions are running our Schools along with Government. Put the two together and before the School bell rings we already have a disaster.
Think about it....
Robin Sauer at 7:11 PM October 31, 2012
can someone tell me if there is a link for us to view the local schools to our area? As much as Southbend/Mishawaka and Elkhart have to do with this viewing area it is not the only schools in the area!