When we want to consider
our effectiveness as a school district, we turn more and more to data to
provide evidence of successes and challenges. Last October 28th, MHS Principal
Marianne Farrell came before the School Committee to present a data dashboard
for the high school (agenda and Powerpoint here: http://melrosecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1582).
The work of Ms. Farrell and her team was not only a way to provide information
to the community in a transparent way with respect to student performance, it
was also a pilot for the elementary and secondary levels so they could think
about how to present their unique information. Elementary level data has now
been published, as has significant district data. To find it, you can go to the
Melrose Schools website, find “Families” in the toolbar, and select the last
item: “District Dashboard,” or you can click here: http://melroseschools.com/administration/district-dashboard/.
Please share this location
and/or information with your Melrose friends and colleagues, and think about additional
evidence that you think offers a window into district accountability and future
needs. Where do you think the district is successful? Where do you think our
challenges lie? What other evidence will help inform your opinions? As we head
into the budget season, I’ll be looking closely at a wide variety of data and
information to assess and form opinions on the Supt.’s Budget Message (presented
on 1/6: http://melrosecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1680)
and on the budget that she will present in late February. What are your questions, comments, and opinions????
