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Think tank gives schools low grades

ALPENA — A report recently released by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy that ranks Michigan elementary and middle schools doesn’t reflect the state’s accountability system, one Northeast Michigan superintendent said Friday.

The Midland-based think tank released report cards that measure elementary and middle school performance across the state by weighting average test scores on state standardized tests based on student demographics.

It also measures multiple years of state test results against the expected result given the socioeconomic makeup of students.

The Mackinac Center gave a B at Sanborn Elementary School, a C at Lincoln and Ella White elementaries, and a D at Wilson, Hinks, and Besser elementaries.

Thunder Bay Junior High School received a C.

Alpena Public Schools Superintendent John VanWagoner said Friday that the report doesn’t clearly identify how the grades are figured out.

Though the district will look at the scores, the Mackinac Center’s report does not reflect the work done inside the classroom.

VanWagoner said no one from the organization has come to Alpena to see the schools in person and see students and staff working in the classrooms.

He also hasn’t seen anything from the organization about how the grades were compiled for the schools.

“We pay attention to everything, but this is just a study done by a group,” VanWagoner said. “We’re going to use the quality of feedback from parents when measuring our schools.”

Onaway Elementary School is the only Northeast Michigan school to receive an A in the report.

Onaway Superintendent Rod Fullerton did not respond to messages seeking comment on Friday.

Alcona schools received either a B or C.

Atlanta schools received a D and Hillman schools either received a C or a D.

Rogers City schools received either a B or C. Posen schools received either a B or C. Onaway Middle School received a B.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.

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