DEARBORN — The State of Michigan uses a variety of tools, based on student MEAP and MME performance, to evaluate schools across the state and help them identify areas of success and areas where improvement is needed.  The most recent evaluation tool released by the Michigan Department of Education identified  Reward Schools, which are the highest performing and greatest progress schools;  Focus Schools, which have the largest achievement gaps; and  Priority Schools, which are the lowest performing.

Dearborn Public Schools has announced that none of their schools were identified as a Priority School as determined by the State’s latest evaluation tool. 

The district had five schools, Henry Ford Early College; Lowrey and Woodworth Middle Schools; and Maples and Whitmore-Bolles Elementary Schools, appear on the Reward Schools list placing them among the top 5%, or 286 schools in the state, that have met the criteria detailed in the state’s evaluation system.  For more information on the Reward School designation please visit: www.michigan.gov/rewardschools.

“Despite the many state and federal requirements, funding issues, and many other obstacles facing the staff in our schools, they have continued to work diligently to bring about student success and I want to thank them for their efforts and acknowledge their hard work and dedication to the students in our classrooms,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Brian Whiston. 

The district will be working closely with the six schools that were on the Focus School list.  DuVall, Haigh, and Lowrey Elementary Schools;  Bryant Middle School; and Edsel Ford  and Fordson High Schools are among the 358 schools state–wide that have the largest gaps between the highest performing 30% and the lowest performing 30% of students.  Each school’s annual School Improvement Plan will contain key elements directed at improving instruction by helping teachers provide effective small group instruction every day• Implementing reading, writing, and math each day in each class • Continued use of differentiated instruction • Expanding the schools’ focus for their lowest achieving students

This is not a plan that aims at mediocrity, rather a plan that will continue to challenge the most successful students and advance those students who are struggling academically. More on Focus Schools can be found at: www.michigan.gov/focusschools.

“No excuses, we have work to do on our end but we also encourage parents to take an active role in their children’s education by providing them with the support and materials they need, asking them about their assignments and homework, and above all, stay connected with their children’s teachers and school,” Whiston added.  

A complete list of schools for the state and other resource information can be found at www.mi.gov/ttb.