Student discipline profiles; school achievement
The bill introduces a uniform letter grading system (A through F) that evaluates schools based on a range of performance indicators. Schools must submit various data on academic performance to be eligible for funding from the classroom site fund. A failure to provide a complete school discipline profile will prevent a school from being assigned a letter grade of A or B, impacting its perceived quality and funding opportunities.
SB1385, introduced by Senator Kavanagh, aims to amend section 15-241 of the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning accountability measures for public schools, charter schools, and school districts. The bill mandates that the Arizona Department of Education compiles an annual achievement profile for each educational entity by November 1 every year. This profile will reflect academic performance using various indicators, contributing to a comprehensive educational dashboard essential for assessing school achievement.
A key point of contention regarding SB1385 is the emphasis on a standardized grading approach, which may not fully account for the unique challenges faced by individual schools or local education agencies. Critics may argue that this could lead to unfair assessments that do not take into consideration factors like socio-economic diversity or specific educational needs within communities. Additionally, the requirement for comprehensive data submission might burden smaller or under-resourced institutions further.
The bill also establishes a process for schools to correct data that contributes to their achievement profiles, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting in determining educational quality. Furthermore, it creates a failing schools tutoring fund aimed at supporting students who need additional resources to meet academic standards.