This posting first appeared in June 2006 as "Honor Roll Blues."
Grade Inflation In East Maine School District #63 (EMSD#63)?
You’ve seen them “I’m the proud parent of School Name Here Honor Roll Student.”
Apparently, EMSD#63’s Gemini Junior High School has made quite a few local parents and students proud.
Grade Inflation In East Maine School District #63 (EMSD#63)?
You’ve seen them “I’m the proud parent of School Name Here Honor Roll Student.”
Apparently, EMSD#63’s Gemini Junior High School has made quite a few local parents and students proud.
| During the first three quarters of school year 2005-06 the published student population for Gemini was 812. |
| Quarter | # Honor Roll Students | # Honor Roll Students |
| 1st | 553 | 68.10% |
| 2nd | 509 | 62.68% |
| 3rd | 529 | 64.66% |
| Average: | 65.15% |
In the end, I believe it would have been far less time-consuming to publish the list of students not appearing on the “Honor Roll.”
| I originally intended to review 23 quarterly “Honor Roll” lists. |
| Of the 23 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted, only 3 were returned with lists attached. The remaining 20 received the following response: “No such document exists. The Freedom of Information Act does not require a public entity to create documents.” |
At first I was miffed. However, that response now makes sense. EMSD#63 administrators apparently believe as I now do, that Gemini “Honor Roll” lists are not worth keeping!
Current research indicates that no more than 20% of the student population would normally attain “Honor Roll” status.
Being placed on the “Honor Roll” has always been considered an achievement, something special, but when such a significant portion of a school’s population is placed on an “Honor Roll” list (65.15% average over three quarters), the value of the award is diluted. Grade inflation is a common practice to cover up lower academic performance. In short, their coin of excellence is counterfeit.
If I were a Gemini Junior High School student or parent I would feel betrayed by school administrators who apparently value a false sense of “self-esteem” over actual scholastic achievement. It is reasonable to assume that some of our 2005-06 Gemini graduate’s may have found them selves taking remedial courses at Maine East.
It is time for members of the East Maine School District #63 School Board, parents, concerned teachers and taxpayers to demand genuine performance - lets cut out the smoke & mirrors!
But of course, it’s only my opinion!
Your opinion please!
Kenneth Butterly
1 comment:
I see those bumper stickers all the time, "My Gemini Student is on the honor roll." I never thought about it until I saw a printed list in the local paper. I didn't realize the percentage of students who are honored. I thought they were brilliant but when I checked the ISAT scores published by the IL State BOE I too saw something. Are these students ready to go on and suceed in a responsible way when they enter East Maine High School as freshman?
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