School ratings lack new data

Some measures impacted by pandemic

The state Department of Education has released the newest version of its Future

Ready PA Index, the system used to rate schools across the commonwealth, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic it lacks much new information.

The index was launched in 2018 as a tool to provide families, educators, employers and communities with a more comprehensive look at how Pennsylvania schools are preparing students. It progressed from previous ratings systems in that it relies less on students’ standardized test scores.

“Success is measured by more than standardized tests,” Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega said in announcing the index update. “The index shows how all students, including historically underserved groups, are progressing in their education and learning the skills to be productive citizens of the commonwealth.”

The index, like the ratings systems before it, is updated each fall. The latest update was announced Friday by the Department of Education.

However, the newest update doesn’t provide a whole lot of new information.

Department officials said that a number of the measures included in the index were impacted by the statewide closure of schools in mid-March, a move made to help slow the spread of COVID-19, as well as the cancellation of statewide assessment tests.

That means things like standardized tests scores, information about the rigor of course study, career standards benchmarks and industry-based learning metrics are reported using information from the 2018-19 school year.

Reports on regular attendance and graduation rates also use data from 2018-19, however that data traditionally lags by a year so is an update on last year’s index.

The only measure that uses new data from last school year is for English language proficiency. Assessments used to calculate that were completed before the school shutdown.