Lowest performing schools

To the editor:
    That headline really grabs your attention. Most people read the headline and then look to see who is targeted. Hodgdon and Houlton, according to the press release, fell under these headlines.
    But did you know they are not the lowest performing schools in the state? The Commissioner in her report made it clear that these are not the lowest performing schools. The Department was required to identify 10 such schools based on federal criteria in order to be eligible for federal funding under the “Race for the Top” grant. Out of approximately 150 high schools in the state, the Department of Education looked at two sub-groups; those high schools receiving Title I funds and those who were eligible but did not receive those funds. Hodgdon fell into the second group along with 11 other high schools.
    This designation is inaccurate when it comes to low-performing schools. This designation is unfair to dedicated professional staff, students and to the communities that support the educational system of MSAD 70. There is always room for improvement. Before this report came out, the administration was working on an action plan for the high school to work on the Adequate Yearly Progress. They will be working with staff and the student focus group to look at more ways to improve.
    Over the past two years, we have put in place a math interventionist, SAT prep class, extended learning time after school, instituted Edline to keep parents and students informed about achievement, instituted a common planning time for teachers and are piloting with Maine Course Pathways to develop syllabi in each content area. We are continually looking for ways to better serve our students. With the initiatives we have put in place, we must give them time before we will see consistent improvement. As with all change, time becomes a key component.
    Hodgdon High School sends 74 to 75 percent of its students to post secondary institutes. The SAT is but a snapshot of the educational picture at Hodgdon High School. To the Department of Education I would like to say, your label is unfair and inaccurate. You need to look at those schools that are truly performing at a lower rate, maybe taking a look at these schools that the state has labeled as CIPS 4 or 5 (schools that are labeled as Continuous Improvement Priority Schools).
    As superintendent, I want to reassure the students, parents and community members that we are continuously working to make sure that we are providing a quality education to your students.
Robert McDaniel
Superintendent of SAD 70
Hodgdon