TROUBLING DATA FOR MESA SCHOOL OFFICIALS....A Report with No Comments

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Some troubling data for Mesa school officials 

By Scott Shumaker, Tribune Staff Writer Jun 5, 2022        

"Parents, teachers and leaders hoped this school year would finally bring normalcy for Mesa Public Schools’ 56,000 students, but data presented by administrators to the Governing Board at a May 31 study session suggest that 2021-22 may have been just as rocky as previous years of the pandemic – or worse.

Problems aggravated by the pandemic, like chronic absenteeism and misconduct, persisted into this year, with 38% of MPS students absent for more than 10% of school days in 2021-22.

“This is way, way too many – way too many – of our kids” absent from school, board President Jenny Richardson said.

Other metrics of student well-being failed to improve this year, and the data includes signs that the pandemic affected students’ mental health. . .

DATA: Recently released data from state assessments taken near the end of the school year showed progress in some areas, but disappointments in others.

> On the positive side, a higher percentage of MPS third-graders passed the English Language assessment this year, 39%, compared to 32% last year, as well as the math test, 36% versus 35% last year.

> But in data that Assistant Superintendent Randy Mahlerwein described as “disappointing,” MPS ninth-graders scored below the state average on the ACT Aspire assessment in all four categories: English, reading, science and math.

> Kelly Berg, preaident of the Mesa Education Association, told the Tribune: "At just a brief glance, it looks like the high schools are performing how they have been performing in years prior to COVID compared to each other.  "This was a new benchmark test for our students to take this year," she continued.

" I think it will take some digging into the data at each school to see where we can improve for our individual schools. . ."

> t will be difficult to find the time to dig in to the assessment, locate/create materials to support the students, and implement the support while trying to cover the state standards."