CITYWIDE PARENTS COALITION RECOMMENDS TOP TEN LIST OF ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO AUDIT REVEALING DISMAL PPS GRADUATION RATE The Portland Parents Coalition today proposed that PPS leadership consider a “Top Ten List of Actions” to respond to the recent internal audit that found that Portland spends $2,000-$3,000 more per student than comparable districts – Beaverton, Hillsboro, Salem – yet graduates students at rates that are 6-14% lower. PPS’s graduation rate is 63% (Beaverton’s is 77%, Hillsboro’s 75%, Salem-Keizer’s 69%). The Parents Coalition called for: well-defined Audit Implementation Plans, with clear timelines, roles, and responsibilities; greater Board accountability for oversight and results; evaluating the Superintendent on her implementation of actions relating to graduation AND preparation for post-secondary success in response to the audit; implementation of effective, low-cost programs. The Parents Coalition, formed last spring in response to a shortened instructional day, applauded Superintendent Smith’s thoughtful response to the audit findings and her statement that graduation alone is not the goal - the goal is preparation for post-secondary success for ALL students. Improving graduation rates and preparation for post-secondary success is critical for struggling and underserved students and boys. In addition to the restoration of a full school day and school year for high school students, the Parents Coalition highlighted their recommended Top Ten List of Actions: 1. Implementation Plans are needed for the six actions described in the Superintendent’s audit response, with timelines and clear roles and responsibilities for staff and Board. 2. Greater Board oversight: The Board should adopt a Resolution stipulating how the Superintendent will be held accountable for major deliverables. Performance on these measures should be included in their evaluation of the Superintendent. 3. High school graduation rate improvements should be stated accurately. 4. Alternative education programs and comprehensive high school offerings for struggling students should be evaluated for effectiveness and impact on underserved students. 5. The graduation rate for boys in our district must be addressed. 6. Middle school improvements are necessary. 7. Proven practices need to be disseminated. 8. Management capacity audit is needed. 9. The Board should embrace the Superintendent’s definition of student success (graduation / prepared for next steps for ALL students) and proposed actions. 10. Audit implementation should be a regular topic of public Board meetings. A team from the Parents Coalition reviewed the June 2013 performance audit, “Improving Graduation Rates at Portland Public Schools,” and subsequent Management Response (email FullSchoolDay@yahoo for a copy of the executive and full analysis and recommendations.)
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 21:22:32 +0000