LANSING, Mich. — The State of Michigan launched a school information website on Monday that allows users to look up test scores, enrollment and school “report cards,” and that eventually will report on how well high schools prepare students for college, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The site, www.mischooldata.org, was described as a “Consumer Report for schools” by Jim Ballard, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
“This is probably the most public-oriented piece we’ve ever done with education data,” Paul Bielawski, school data manager for the Center for Educational Performance and Information, told the Free Press. CEPI maintains a number of statistical databases about Michigan schools.
Previously, parents would have had to review three databases on two websites to compare test scores, graduation rates and report cards, the Free Press reported. By September, parents will be able to use the new site to determine how many graduates from each high school enrolled in college and how many needed remedial coursework, according to the Free Press.
Judy Pritchett, chief academic officer for the Macomb Intermediate School District, said the new site will help provide an overview of a school or district, but that it won’t tell the parents much about such things as the scope of programs at a school, parent involvement or quality of staff, the Free Press reported.
SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, “Web site lets you compare Michigan high schools’ success,” Aug. 13, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “New Online Database Provides Unique ‘Context and Performance’ Information for Every Standard Michigan Public High School,” June 27, 2011
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