For students in the Public Schools of Robeson County, expectations couldn’t be higher.
Which is why the release of the state’s report cards proved to frustrating.
“I would’ve used another name other A, B, C, D, F to label schools though. I don’t have a say in that. It what it is, as I’ve said to my cabinet,” mentioned Dr. Johnny Hunt, Public Schools of Robeson County Superintendent.
Last week, the state of North Carolina issued report cards to public schools statewide.
This is the first year for the new system adopted by state lawmakers, which gives schools letter grades from A through F.
“That score shows only one day in the life of a 180 day of instruction that year,” mentioned Dr. Linda Emanuel, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
80 percent of the grade is based on standardized testing and the rest on academic growth.
“If we would’ve went on the test scores that we had two years ago…we would’ve had 2 A’s, 12 B’s, 22 C’s, 4 D’s and zero F’s,” explained Hunt.
However, instead this year, out of its 41 schools, 1 A, 1 B, 8 C’s, 20 D’s and 11 F’s
“It’s not a surprise, but we are very concerned though. Most of the superintendents across the state, a majority of them don’t like the A, B, C, D, F label,” Hunt said.
“We have to look at the strengths we have and build of those,” added Emanuel.
While the graduation rate has climbed in the last few years coupled with a lower dropout rate. The sting of a letter grade still hurts.
“No, I don’t think it’s a fair assessment we have good quality schools,” stated Hunt.
Statewide, about 65 percent of elementary and middle schools earned a grade of c or better.
For high schools, which have additional indicators, nearly 89 percent earned a “c” or better.
County officials sent letters home on Tuesday to parents to explain the report cards.
