How to interpret School quality data - offences

[Anonymous]

We are new(er) to the FCPS and new to understanding the school quality data etc.

We are looking at houses in Wakefield forest elementary area and were looking at the offenses and they seems like large numbers but have no understanding of how to interpret this data. Does this data mean it is not that safe school? Are these data reported consistently by all schools? Any help would be appreciated. (Posted this to a Wakefield elementary thread but thought our question is larger than that so are asking this as a new thread)

https://schoolquality.vir...lementary#

Behaviors that Impede Academic Progress 5
Behaviors related to School Operations 4
Relationship Behaviors without Physical Harm 18
Behaviors of a Safety Concern 19
Behaviors that Endanger the Health, Safety, or Welfare of Self or Others 2

[Anonymous]

Like anything else, these numbers are dependent on the reporters. Believe me, there are some principals who will jump through hoops to avoid reporting offenses.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Reporting an offence depends on the Principal. Where is the incentive for a high profile school to report offences and gang activity? A mid-career principal has figured out the FCPS game, and is playing to win, not to accurately report issues at their school.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I agree that other schools may be underreporting. But another question is that given the numbers WFES reported, should we worry about safety? I don’t see any historical data (or may be I am not looking at the right place) so not sure if this was one off or there is a trend. Are we thinking too much about this?

[Anonymous]

Those numbers do not seem concerning in and of themselves.

I have written over 20 “impedes academic progress referrals” this year for cell phone violations under the new policy.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about that data but it seems like people like the old principal but not so much the new one. What's up with all the new principals bringing down their schools? Note to future and new principals: Don't go around changing too much and pissing off the teachers because they will just leave and you will have to hire all new ones. Maybe go with the flow the first year and not ruffle too many feathers, k?

[Anonymous]

It is also possible that the infractions come from a handful of students. I'm not sure how these things are reported, but one or two disturbed students may be the source of much of that. In other words, one student may be acting out multiple times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is also possible that the infractions come from a handful of students. I'm not sure how these things are reported, but one or two disturbed students may be the source of much of that. In other words, one student may be acting out multiple times.

This is a good point, especially at the elementary level. It can take a long time to get a kid evaluated and services started, both school based and privately. At most schools it's a small handful of students who are responsible for the majority of the more serious violations.

[Anonymous]

At most elementary schools, they do not report this data honestly. This school might be honest. You should look at the data for the middle and high school where your kids would go, too.

[Anonymous]

It's a safe school with a seasoned, respected principal who is taking directives to address issues with any form of offensive speech quite seriously (as it should be). If a student uses any sort of slur, parents across the school get a letter (without identifying student offender of course).

This is supposed to be happening across FCPS to stamp out this kind of behavior, some schools aren't as diligent about sending community wide letters.

[Anonymous]

Worth noting, academically this school is out-performing its AAP Center neighbors (Canterbury Woods and Mantua).