Ask an Expert: Jim Cox and Pat Puleo
Measuring Up: A Parent's Guide to Testing, Grades, and Assessments

The teachers at my son's elementary school met with us parents and told us that they were going to be focusing on only some of the students next year because of the API. What is it about the API that encourages teachers to spend more time with only some of the students.

As mentioned above, the API is calculated by counting students in the five bands of achievement. It goes up as students move from one band to the next. Those students who are right on the cusp of moving up to the next band have a much greater chance of helping to raise the overall school's score. However, because of the larger point value assigned to the lower bands when calculating the API, the upward movement of low achieving students counts more in raising the overall school score than movement in the higher achievement bands.

There are high stakes sanctions and rewards connected with the API for each school. Schools that make greater than 5% growth will receive monetary rewards. Schools not meeting that goal will face state takeover and staff/administrative changesUnfortunately, the API system, structured as it is, only recognizes students who move upward into the next band.

When a school does what your school is doing, they have lost sight of why we are in the profession. Every student is important. Assisting lower achieving students is expected, and giving extra help to those in need is part of what we do. To isolate a group of students who have the best chance of helping schools look good demeans our profession. We all have a responsibility to all students' continued growth no matter what band they are in!

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