School Quality Measures
MCIEA has reimagined how to assess the quality of schools and the learning experiences of students beyond the use of test scores. To achieve this goal, MCIEA sought input from stakeholders in each consortium district to build a school quality framework that reflects what the public wants to know about school performance. The framework has been built around multiple measures, which include academic, social-emotional, and school culture indicators, in order to generate a fairer and more comprehensive picture of school performance. MCIEA then measures school strengths and areas for growth based on field-tested student and teacher surveys as well as publicly-available school administrative data. The SQM dashboard displays results across 34 indicators of school quality, and MCIEA staff work with school leaders to develop action plans informed by SQM data.
The SQM Framework
MCIEA's school quality measures framework aims to capture the full magnitude of what makes a good school, using five major categories – the first three being essential inputs and the last two being key outcomes:
Essential Inputs
Teachers and Leadership
The relevant abilities of a school’s teachers and leaders, and the degree to which they are receiving the support they need to grow as professionals. It considers factors like teacher professional qualifications, effective classroom practices, and school wide support for teaching development and growth.
School Culture
The degree to which the school environment is safe, caring, and academically oriented. It considers factors like bullying, student-teacher relationships, and regular attendance.
Resources
The adequacy of a school’s facility, personnel, and curriculum, as well as the degree to which it is supported by the community. It considers factors like physical spaces and materials, curriculum variety, and family-school relationships.
Key Outcomes
Academic Learning
How much students are learning core academic content, developing their own academic identities, and progressing along positive trajectories. It considers factors like performance assessment results, test score growth, engagement in school, problem solving, and college-going rates.
Community And Wellbeing
The development of traits relevant for students leading full and rewarding lives—in society, the workplace, and their private lives. It considers factors like perseverance and determination, participation in arts and literature, and social and emotional health.
SQM Resources for Educators
School Quality Beyond Test Scores
A one-page flyer offers an overview of the school quality measures and how they offer a more holistic view of what makes a good school.
Why Multiple Measures?
By Jack Schneider
This white paper discusses how existing accountability systems are not measuring all of what matters in public education, and they are holding schools accountable for only a narrow slice of their full mission. Multiple measures can ameliorate many of the most obvious flaws in present measurement and accountability systems by expanding the number of school quality indicators.
For more information about each category and its indicators, check out this overview.
SQM Student and Educator Surveys
The questions that make up the survey component of the School Quality Measures framework and previews current survey offerings.