EQUITABLE SCHOOL RATINGS.

PROFICIENCY OR VALUE-ADD? YOU DECIDE

Did you know there is more than one way to evaluate test scores as an indicator of school quality? Today's ratings utilize the Proficiency Model. SchoolSparrow is different because we utilize the Value-Add Model.

The proficiency model compares raw test scores between schools, and ratings are calculated based on how a school compares to the average test score for the state in which the school is located. For example, if Illinois has an average test score of 57 (57% of the students are deemed proficient), then, generally speaking, schools that have average test scores above 57 will have higher ratings, and schools with scores below 57 will have lower ratings.

The value-add model adjusts for factors that influence test scores, but are outside the control of schools; such as parent education and income. Research has shown that student performance on standardized tests are primarily attributed to parent affluence, not school quality. When accounting for each school's socioceonomic profile, thousands of schools that are currently portrayed as low quality by the proficiency model, are recognized as high quality institutions by the value-add model. As a result, some of the best public schools, where there is a strong culture of inclusion and excellence, with high morale, low teacher turnover, and students that are beating expectations, are being overlooked by home buyers.

When making the biggest investment of their lives, we believe home buyers should be allowed to see a more balanced view of school quality, so they can make a more informed purchase decision.

TEST SCORES AREN'T EVERYTHING

Standardized test results are just one small factor to consider when evaluating if a school is a good fit for your family, and perhaps not really that important a factor.

However, if you are going to consider test scores, you should be aware that there is more than one way to evaluate test scores as an indicator of school quality.

A MORE BALANCED VIEW ON SCHOOL QUALITY

Parents deserve more fair and balanced information about student performance when making the biggest investment of their lives.

That's why we've developed a rating system that uses data science to account for the huge impact that parent incomes have on student test scores.

Our ratings tend to elevate school's that have diversity. This is because the powerful impact that parental affluence has on test scores. The proficiency model gives the highest ratings to homogenous schools where all the parents have high incomes, because these are the schools that are posting the highest test scores. Our value add model gives the highest ratings to schools where the school community is having the most impact on student performance instead of socioconomic factors.