The Minnesota Department of Education released its first Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) scores for schools at the end of August. At the top of the list is Great Expectations School (GES) in Grand Marais. Based on measures of academic proficiency and growth, GES earned a rating of 99.58 percent, fifth highest in the state and the highest among charter schools.
The MMR system of accountability was established when the state of Minnesota received its waiver from the No Child Left Behind Act. It is used to identify successful and struggling schools.
GES School Administrator Peter James said, “We’re happy to have done as well as we did, but as with any statistic, there is more to the story than a number.”
James said the new rating system is based on four measurements. According to the Minnesota Department of Education website, the first measurement, adequate yearly progress (AYP) is based on the results of the annual Minnesota Comprehensive Achievement (MCAs) exams. The second measurement is growth, which is based on the difference between each student’s most recent MCA score and their score in the previous year. The third measurement is of how well a school closes its “achievement gap,”—the disparity in academic performance between students of color and in poverty and their white or higher income counterparts. A fourth measurement applies only to high schools and measures graduation rates.
Although delighted with the results, James reiterated that there is “more to the story.” He said GES is not a high school, so it is not measured on that standard. GES also was not rated on the “achievement gap,” as it has a relatively small minority student population. “So we were only scored on two things,” said James. “So, if you’re scoring well, your growth really shows.
“We had a large level of growth last year and we can’t grow that much every year. Like my son said to me, ‘You can’t be the most improved player every year.’ It’s not that the numbers are meaningless, but we’re not setting our sights on the numbers.
“But it is great news and we are really happy about it,” said James. “It shows the things we have been doing are working— smaller class sizes; concentrating on social-emotional development as well as academic; different learning styles; multiple intelligences—all these efforts have led to greater student success.”
In the GES family newsletter, James wrote, “Thank you to everyone for your part in this achievement!”
The public is invited to an open house at Great Expectations School to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Visit the school on September 10 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. to learn more about the school, tour the school’s new addition and enjoy refreshments.
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