LITTLE ROCK — Keith McGee spent his birthday morning speaking before the Arkansas Board of Education, but it was under less-than-celebratory circumstances.
McGee, who leads the Watson Chapel School District, was one of seven superintendents scheduled Thursday (Nov. 12) to discuss their plans for improving their F ratings in the Arkansas Department of Education’s latest Report Card. The Watson Chapel and Pine Bluff school districts both earned an F for the second year in a row under the formula, which takes into account academic performance, growth of all students, growth of the lowest-performing quartile of students, and how well-prepared students are after graduation. Up to 100 points are counted for each subcategory across these four categories, meaning a district can earn up to 900 points for its formula score.
“We’re headed in the right direction, and I’m grateful that they’re (asking), what can we do?” McGee said. “They recognize the changes, so we just need time.”…