Letter to the Editor: Superintendent Addresses Dexter High School Ranking in U.S. News Study

U.S. News & World Report uses a process developed by the American Institute for Research to determine its Best High Schools Ranking. 

The recent rankings are based on data from the 2009-2010 school year data (spring 2010 Michigan Merit Exam data). 

The first step of the process used by U.S. News & World Report determines if students performed better than the state average on the state proficiency test in reading and math, the Michigan Merit Exam for students in our state. Our students regularly exceed the state average. 

The methodology also considered the performance of our economically disadvantaged students on the state test, and in the 2009-2010 school year, our economically disadvantaged students did not score better than the state average in their math performance. The math performance that year was out of character compared to our typical performance levels.

Math MME Proficiency for Economically Disadvantaged Students

• 2008 (12 students were economically disadvantaged): Dexter 32 percent; State 25 percent.
• 2009 (16 students were economically disadvantaged): Dexter 47 percent; State 29 percent.
• 2010 (29 students were economically disadvantaged): Dexter 28 percent; State 30 percent.
• 2011 (18 students were economically disadvantaged): Dexter 61 percent; State 32 percent.
• 2012 data is still embargoed and cannot be released yet.

Using the U.S. News & World Report methodology, Dexter would not have made it through the first step of the process for being one of the best high schools once the performance of our economically disadvantaged students performance was factored in. Once you don't make it through a step, you are no longer considered for the recognition. In no way do we blame students. The district's economically disadvantanged math data from that year prevented us from being considered for the ranking. 

When we reviewed the MME data from 2010, we were not pleased with the result of the students in this category. We evaluated what we could do to support our economically disadvantaged students and looked at the individual students who did not do well to determine what factors may have contributed to their poor achievement. One intervention to address these needs with future students was already underway with the development of our Freshman House program.

Had the district's economically disadvantaged data exceeded the state average in math, we would have moved to the next step of the process used and would likely have fared quite well in the final rankings. The last factor considered by U.S. News & World Report would have taken our college readiness data into consideration.

U.S. News & World Report College Readiness Scores
Birmingham Seaholm       41.6
Birmingham Groves         40
Canton High School        26.8
Chelsea High School      33.8
Dexter High School        40.1
Huron High School         36
Pioneer High School      36.3
Plymouth High School   26.2
Saline High School        44.6

We take the performance of our students very seriously and work toward continuous improvement. Our expectations for student achievement are high, and our desire to develop options for students as they craft a program to meet their needs continues to develop. Our strategic plan helps to guide the work that we are doing related to student learning. 

We look at data, evaluate trends, identify outliers to trends, and take our responsibility of educating your children very seriously. If you have further questions about what the district is doing to support student achievement, I am happy to meet with you at any time. I can be reached at 734-424-4100, Ext. 1001. 

We appreciate being able to work with parents to prepare our students for their future by providing a well-rounded educational experience for our kids. I appreciate the opportunity to share more information with you to put in context.

Mary Marshall

Dexter Community Schools Superintendent