In the 1990s, MPS developed an innovative and effective method of measuring what students know in critical subjects such as writing, science and math. The performance assessments require students to demonstrate their understanding of a subject through essays, science experiments and oral presentations. A review committee of teachers then examines the student's work and awards a rating based on a standard, district-wide set of criteria. The board is planning to approve their plan in November. Because politics demand it.
Politicians say they want accountability, but what they really are asking for is numbers.
Numbers for ranking students and schools. The suburbs know MPS has a good thing, and they are considering copying it. In the past couple of years, MPS and 20 Milwaukee-area districts have been collaborating on further development and validation of performance assessments, through a project called Southeastern Wisconsin Assessment Collaborative. The coalition will host a series of forums around the city this fall to present the draft of the alternative plan, and to get input from the public about what they want and expect from student assessment. As much as we like the proposed structure, we feel that it ranks very low on the priority list.