STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Student achievement is often discussed in terms of only one measure – academics. Academics meaning grades, test scores, and enrollment in AP/Honors classes. And there is an assumption that these academic measures are the only standard that is used to evaluate student success, which is evidenced by college admissions. To this longheld belief, I would say that it is complicated. Yes, colleges absolutely care if a student will be able to perform well academically. Afterall, if a student isn’t able to keep up with the academics, that will require the school to allocate more resources towards student support services; or the student may simply withdraw from the school which will negatively impact the college’s graduation rates. So, yes, demonstrating an ability to do well academically matters in college admissions. But what is becoming increasingly more important is the contributions that student will make while they are at college. What will be that student’s impact on their college community, as demonstrated by their impact on their high school community or community at large, whether that is the state, national, or international scene? That is the student performance that really sets a student apart from their peers. And as a high performing school district, many of our students meet that mark in their service to the school, in athletics, arts, and other activities such as speech and debate or robotics. These are the real world passions and explorations that drive our children to create, communicate, collaborate and critically think about their world.
The movement away from test scores is scaring parents who feel their children will be at a disadvantage because they won’t be able to stand out as high performers. But the reality is that the movement away from test scores is liberating. It frees students to pursue those deeper skills and experiences that will drive them closer to understanding their own future college and career paths. The deemphasis on testing will allow students to explore options where their future aspirations may be a better fit and not just a ranked number on a list of U.S. News and World report colleges. And it is this fit within the college culture that will lead to college students being more successful and independent because they are where they are meant to be so they will not just survive, but thrive.