Some CR schools are struggling. The board should seek outside input to find out why

I was appalled to learn in a recent Gazette article on Iowa's Report Card on Public Schools that the Cedar Rapids Community School District had fallen to a dismal rating. Regarding English, Math, & Science, 16 schools were rated as having “Priority” (needs) — the worst rating. 5 were rated “Commendable” — the best rating: Erskine, Hiawatha, Madison, Maple Grove, and Viola Gibson.

I think it was misleading for The Gazette to single out the 3 Title 1 schools, Metro, Wilson, and Johnson — and not identify the other 13 schools rated the “Priority” rating. This gave the impression that it was the special students attending there who were lacking in ability to learn that caused the deficiencies. I found the other 13 Cedar Rapids “Priority” schools online under Department of Education Performance Profiles. They included all of our regular high schools, Washington, Jefferson, Kennedy, and also City View High, Roosevelt, Franklin, McKinley, Virtual Academy Middle, Taylor, Cleveland, Harrison, Kenwood, Virtual Academy Elementary.

I also found and was appalled to learn that the district’s rating in Secondary Readiness was only 37% compared to the state average of 69%.

Obviously, the school board needs to establish a study to find out what is missing in the instruction in these 16 schools and what is being done in a superior way in the five “Commendable” schools. I hope the committee will consist of members not employed by the district.

Parents of students attending the “Priority” schools might well demand improvement once they learn their children are in a low-ratedst school.

Ron Moore

Former member and President, CRCSD Board of Directors

Cedar Rapids