Walt Disney Elementary is an amazing school. It’s fine arts concentration competes with all in the district. Disney has not always been a Level 1 elementary school. I had the honor of serving on a below level 1 fine arts high school, too: Senn. Despite being below Level 1, I attest as an LSC member: these schools had not needed additional funding more than many other Level 2 schools.

Truth be told, most metrics are not based on how well our teachers teach, but by how well their students navigate their life outside of the classroom

Look here: this is an actual screen grab of the actual ranking system.

Where does it highlight the chief goal of an elementary school? Keep students safe and get them to high school, regardless of any assessment ranking?

Where in this spreadsheet does it say, “Evidence that Elementary School has Overcome Societal Odds and Matriculated a Relative Number into High School?”

If the CPS Board of Education does not take the time to develop a holistic interpretation of school effectiveness be judged based on the societal demands placed on that school.

Some schools need a higher security budget.

They should not be punished that they have to reallocate their funds differently than a school that does not need worry as much.

Some schools require more social work support. This budget need should not be a punishment against the school.

And that’s the critical point.

Regardless of ranking systems, hopefully made more equitable than stressing uncontrollable variables, like areas where drop out is societally high, it should be acknowledged that The school cannot control all such things— They should not be punished.

Even with any ranking, schools should not have to unfairly compete for resources based on a damaging ranking system.

The idea of A new system is welcomed. But it must function different in practice, not just in name.