Dane County Middle Schools 2007 Rankings

So you know when I say 2007 rankings, the test data is from 2006, right? Anyway again comparing only non-economically disadvantaged students, you can see 6 of the top 10 are Madison schools; both Verona schools are up in the top 10 as is Monona and Waunakee.

In general, I would say that the middle schools of the area seem to be doing pretty well. There are a couple duds way down at the bottom but you'll notice a lot fewer black circles than in my previous post on area elementary schools.

Of course I wouldn't say being in the 50th percentile statewide is any great accomplishment but, hey, at least it's not Whitehorse down in the 16th percentile there.

Something to take note of is that O'Keefe and Sherman have been merged. Some of Sherman's students are at O'Keefe and some at another school. I'm sure we can expect the excellent score of O'Keefe to descend precipitously as we average the 36.6 from Sherman with the 65.8 of O'Keefe to get, what, 51.2 dropping the best middle school down to 7th place or something.

You know the MMSD board really needs to be more aware of perception versus education. It is true that the goal is to educate all children highly. It is also true that that ain't gonna happen! One thing they can do something about is managing perceptions. Is it better to say, MMSD has the 6th best middle school in the state (non-poor, etc, etc) and a bad school? Or is it better to say MMSD has some above average middle schools? My thought is the prior. People demand excellence not above averageness.

Anyway again can anyone explain how Whitehorse can be so bad while O'Keefe can be so good?