New Research Report Says FAIR School Crystal Outperforms Student Demographics

MINNEAPOLIS, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A study of nine disparate Minnesota schools, including The West Metro Education Program's FAIR School Crystal, found that certain practices implemented by principals and teachers allowed these schools to outperform their students' demographics on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA).

This important finding demonstrates that school leadership and culture are among the most crucial factors in determining how to improve academic success of students of color and/or students from impoverished backgrounds.

The research results were presented at the annual American Educational Research Association Conference in New Orleans, LA.

The study can assist Minnesota state legislators who are currently debating ways to improve student performance while cutting certain funds for K-12 education. Although changes are inevitable in school funding, it is important that legislators and community leaders understand which of the many variables within school culture correlate most profoundly with student success before such cuts are made.

In an interview conducted recently, Candace Raskin, Ed.D, associate professor in the department of educational leadership at Minnesota State Mankato, said that, "Our research showed that FAIR School Crystal has developed a culture where administrative leadership and teachers are focused on teaching and learning and are determined that all students will succeed."

Daniel L. Jett, Ph.D, Superintendent of WMEP, said that the study illuminates "something that we who work with children from varied backgrounds at WMEP's magnet schools have always known: that if the adults in their lives believe these students can learn -- even those who are disadvantaged -- they are much more likely to do so. This is particularly true when those adults are their teachers and principals with whom they interact every day."

Students at FAIR Schools have consistently scored at or above the state average in Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments reading tests since 2005-2006. In fact, Black students in all tested grades at FAIR Schools have outperformed their counterparts in the Reading MCAs.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, the statewide trend over the last five years shows Black students statistically at the bottom, with only half of those tested being proficient in the Reading MCAs.

However, the percentage points for Black students at FAIR School Crystal have ranged from 12 percent to almost 20 percent higher in reading than Black students statewide. In 2009-2010, eighth grade Black students at FAIR School Crystal scored almost 38 percent higher than their state counterparts.

The West Metro Education Program (WMEP) is a voluntary consortium of 11 urban and suburban school districts in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. The mission of WMEP is to build the collective capacity of its members; to raise the achievement of all students; to eliminate the racial achievement gap; and to prepare all learners to thrive in a diverse world through regional leadership, integrated learning opportunities, shared resources, and mutual support.

Contact:
Daniel Jett,
Superintendent, WMEP
612-752-7201

Candace Raskin,
Minnesota State University
952-818-8881

SOURCE West Metro Education Program