US News: 3 area high schools among best in US
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Click here to get more information about the U.S. News & World Report "Best High Schools" rankings.
JANESVILLE — The phrase "1,891 out of 21,776" is a hard one to wrap your head around.
Nineteenth in the state is a little easier.
However you describe it, Parker High School teachers accomplished it one relationship at a time, District Administrator Karen Schulte said.
Parker is one of three high schools in Rock and Walworth counties ranked among the best by U.S.News & World Report, the news magazine announced Tuesday.
Parker earned a silver medal for its national ranking of 1,891st place. It ranked 19th in the state. Delavan-Darien and Parkview high schools earned bronze awards, according to the U.S. News news release.
The study ranks schools based on student performance on state achievement tests and college preparatory exams. The schools also were rated based on the scores of minority students and those from economically disadvantaged families because those students tend to score lower on tests, according to the news release.
Parker's silver medal is a result of district-wide efforts by teachers and staff, Janesville administrators said late Wednesday after Parker Principal Christopher Laue told teachers the news.
"We've made a concerted effort to develop relationships with all kids. We acknowledge that's extremely important for kids of color and those with economic disadvantages or special needs," Laue said. "That's what gets them to school."
The announcement was welcome news in Delavan, as well, according to a news release from the district. The bronze medal ranking is encouraging for teachers and students at Delavan-Darien High School, Principal Mark Schmitt said. Schmitt was struck by the study's emphasis on reaching all students and finding ways to measure results, he said.
"That is exactly what we are focusing on," Schmitt said. "Serving all students so they are prepared for a career and college as we develop the outcomes and measures to make sure that all students are achieving."
Each school that ranked well did the following, according to the news release:
-- Exceeded statistical expectations on state reading and math accountability tests given the school's relative level of student poverty. Scores of all the students in the school, regardless of family income, were taken into account. Different weights were given to advanced, proficient or nearly proficient scores.
-- Exceeded state averages on state tests for the school's least-advantaged student groups including African American, Latino or economically disadvantaged.
-- Prepared its students for college according to participation and performance scores on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. Parker, Delavan-Darien and Parkview schools use Advanced Placement classes and exams, according to U.S. News data.
Parker students identified in the low-income category on reading tests placed 13 percent better compared to students in the same category across the state, according to a Janesville School District news release. African-American students on reading tests scored 33 percent higher than their peers, according to the news release.
In cases, they scored higher than the aggregate scores at other schools, said Janesville School District Director of Instructional Service Kim Ehrhardt. That means the district is making strides in closing the achievement gap between white and minority students, he said.
He told Parker teachers they deserved the recognition.
"You're knocking it out of the park," he said.
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:26 p.m.
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Take a look at this site! Shows these US News rankings might not mean much as Delavan-Darien High School is identified as a focus school--and that is not a good thing when it comes to student achievement.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/e...
May 12, 2012 at 12:11 a.m.
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babsjvl, walker didnt get anyone to do anything in a little over a year , teaching a child is a lifetime of learning not only should parker be recognized but also the parents and the schools these kids attended before parker. they each had a hand in this too . no child can learn everything in 4 years . we wont see the result of walker for years to come . unless of course he loses the election then maybe the damage can be minimal .
May 11, 2012 at 4:20 p.m.
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Ya know what is really funny vatoloco? I'm not saying you feel this way but when it is the exact opposite scenario it is never the parents fault...funny how that works.
Great job Parker TEACHERS! We all know that most parents do very little to help their child achieve good grades.
May 11, 2012 at 2:53 p.m.
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Looking at the criteria for ranking and things start getting a little suspect. The primary measure seems to be the number of students taking AP exams. I don't think that really measures the quality of a school very well. Not all students are headed to a 4 year college. Vocational preparation is not measured. Alternative education offerings are not measured. Not that these are bad schools, but I would put other area schools on equal or higher footing based on solid academic AND vocational offerings. It is a sloppy measure that sells magazines, and that is about all it is worth.
May 11, 2012 at 2:32 p.m.
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http://www.usnews.com/education/best-hig...
To read the whole story.
May 11, 2012 at 12:14 p.m.
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Good job walker you realy got the teachers to do their job good for you scott
May 11, 2012 at 10:24 a.m.
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vat,
NO CHILD LEFT UNTESTED... Not exactly a "liberal" proposal.
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Funny, first you immediately jump to "credit to parents not teachers".
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Now, you claim the standards aren't correct.
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Before when similar standards were used the unions were a problem.
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Face it, YOU HATE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS. You have NO respect for them and regardless of the article (positive or negative) you will look to discredit, criticize and mock what they do.
May 11, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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chelleandlou
Feb 16, 2012 at 10:08 a.m.
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So, Janesville's excuse for below state average scores is there are more kids taking AP tests? Well, I guess if that's all you can come up with the district has some serious issues!
May 11, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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vatoloco
Feb 15, 2012 at 7:48 p.m.
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Other countries do a better job of educating diverse students....excuse after excuse from the teachers in this country....and since most of the die hard liberals teach......why is there an achievement gap....I thought they fought for the oppressed and low income folks?
vatoloco
Feb 15, 2012 at 7:54 p.m.
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Gotta love those scheduled step salary increases fear.....gotta love them......
vatoloco
Feb 15, 2012 at 10:14 p.m.
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" gap is caused by the income gap and poverty, largely cause by CONSERvATIVE politics"
It's caused by plantation politics......Democrats hold them down to get elected on saving them with welfare....
May 11, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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chelleandlou
Feb 15, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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Doesn't surprise me one bit Janesville schools FAILED.
billnewbie
Feb 15, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.
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It doesn't surprise me either, ChelleandLou. And just think, our school system spends $12,000 a year per student to achieve these miserable results.
Maybe if they were to focus on the basics while winnowing out the inferior employees, and thereby improve their end product, they wouldn't need a Chinese language course and whatever other gimmick they can think of to attract and retain their students. Unfortunately, they and their supporters will no doubt complain that $12,000 a pupil just isn't enough. However, until we see some improvement, they shouldn't get any more increases in funding as that would just be throwing more good money after bad. We've done enough of that already. Remember how they said that all those new bricks and mortar would improve our schools? Could it be that they don't really know how to improve the schools?
May 11, 2012 at 3:47 a.m.
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Congratulations to the students at Parker and the same to the teachers, the staff, and the parents. Good job by all.
May 11, 2012 at 1:33 a.m.
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oh yeah , look at your literacy list and the accuracy of those numbers. The USa has a 99% literacy rate. Does anyone think that Cuba is really 99.9? Or Georgia is 100? No country does a better job at educating the entire population of their nation better than we do, wake up and smell the tacos!
May 11, 2012 at 12:45 a.m.
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Steerstuffer, if you think Evansville schools are so bad then open enroll them to Janesville. You'll find out then how much better Evansville is in comparison.
May 11, 2012 at 12:42 a.m.
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I have no idea how Parker, let alone any other Janesville school would make this list. Janesville schools are not all that great and I keep hearing from more and more parents they are considering relocating or open enrollment because Janesville is awful.
May 10, 2012 at 10:54 p.m.
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I tend to think if the parents are blamed for poor school districts, then also must be commended for the successes in these districts.
May 10, 2012 at 10:27 p.m.
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We are not the most literate country in the world, go look it up, CIA World Factbook
May 10, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
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lovemycountry- I doubt it. Educating kids is a part of our country and guess what we are still the wealthiest, most literate nation on Earth. We are doing a LOT right. The only thing that stinks is your attitude, cut the crap.
Great job Parker Students, Teachers and even parents. Hopefully the younger parents in town can get their act together. This is something to be celebrated, to be proud of. Those of you who wish to loathe this, go suck an egg.
May 10, 2012 at 9:22 p.m.
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Delavan?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Best joke of 2012
May 10, 2012 at 8:55 p.m.
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Considering the U.S. ranks 26th among developed countries for public high school scores, this is like giving an award for the least smelliest campground outhouses in the country.
May 10, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.
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I hope that the Parker principal's comments are not reflective of him taking credit for this. The growth of student success at Parker began well before he hit the scene. Reis, Carlson and Schroeder set the stage for the current success. Well done, Vikings!! You will always be #1 in my heart!
May 10, 2012 at 8:29 p.m.
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steerstuffer- it will only get worse all the cuts means classes cut, teachers cut.... education down down down
May 10, 2012 at 7:52 p.m.
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Good ole Evansville ranks last at college preparedness. Not a surprise with the teachers we have. My daughter had no where near the education she needed in basic classes like Chemistry and Physics that she needed for college. She needed a tutor for every science class she took. Get with it Evansville. Maybe you should learn from these other top schools on how to do it!
May 10, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
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Excellent news for Janesville. Good job Parker staff and kids.
May 10, 2012 at 5:46 p.m.
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I guess we can thank the teachers and teachers union for the honors bestowed upon these high schools. Great job!
May 10, 2012 at 4:07 p.m.
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THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE GOOLD OLE COW PIE HIGH
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