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[quote=Anonymous]A letter from the HS Principals. 
 It must be very demoralizing to have these allegations thrown around.  If there are specific schools that have reported problems then they should be named.  No need to disparage everyone in the entire district.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/PGCPS/bulletins/1a41c48

[i]Statement from Prince George's County Public Schools High School Principals Regarding Graduation Rate Allegations
Prince George's County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 06/21/2017 08:40 AM EDT
The 2016-17 high school principals in Prince George’s County Public Schools released a statement Tuesday, June 20 regarding graduation rate allegations. The full text is below.

For more than 20 years, Prince George’s County Public Schools has been caught in a political tug-of-war. With eyes on our approximately $2 billion budget, elected officials and aspiring politicos have sought control over the system – the largest recipient of county funds – by any means necessary. The system has bounced between governance structures and leaders with little to no stability from year to year.

Not surprisingly, achievement has lagged. Chaos has been the only constant. Superintendents have come and gone – some for school systems that prioritized teaching and learning over political games. The system has lost many parents who chose educational options beyond PGCPS.

Now, just when the system is gaining positive momentum, our schools, teachers, students and leaders are again a casualty of unfair, ugly scrutiny. Ongoing conflict between the administration and a few school board members threatens the entire system.

Our schools are ground zero. Our teachers, faculty and support staff do the hard work that gives parents confidence in our system. They are the ones who work untold hours to make our programs thrive. It was through their efforts that our academic progress steadily climbed, culminating in this year’s record-high graduation rates.

There’s nothing magical about our methods and no shortcuts to our success. Here’s how we did it: High schools have goals that support a laser-like focus on ninth-grade promotion and graduation rates. Teachers and staff are using the proper systems and supports in place, such as our grading and reporting policy, to promote student achievement. Neighboring school districts have had similar policies in place for many years. Our Multiple Pathways to Success program, also widely used by other school systems, allows learners to have a second chance at mastering course content and earning required credits. Our systemic Quarter Learning Modules give students who were close to passing a chance to be re-taught and reassessed on course content.

Principals monitor our student data through early warning indicators, which utilize multiple sources of data to identify interventions and supports tailored to each student’s needs. PGCPS developed and implemented specialized teams to closely monitor student withdrawal data, so that we could help youth get through high school successfully.

A high school diploma is why students come to school and stay in school. It is what they spend four long years working towards. It is a school system’s ultimate measure of success. It is the gateway to better life outcomes. It is the evidence of ancestors’ dreams.

A high school diploma should never be used as a political pawn to twist the perception of an entire school system.

Parents who choose PGCPS do not deserve the constant barrage of negativity about their children’s abilities and accomplishments. Our students do not deserve a narrative that turns a skeptic's eye towards success, viewing it as an anomaly rather than the expectation.

These accusations are insulting to the professionals throughout Prince George’s County Public Schools who have dedicated themselves to educating high school students and supporting their success. They cause unspeakable damage to our school system, far beyond an election cycle or the news of the day. No one will remember the story that concluded allegations lacked substance, only the stories with screaming headlines of scandal, corruption and lies.

Any of us could have left Prince George’s County schools a long time ago if we’d wanted an easier career path. We’ve stayed because we believe in this work and in the people doing it. We’ve stayed because we believe in the students and families we serve.

When those elected to serve aim for higher office on the backs of students, they bring down every school, teacher, faculty member and principal. They make a mockery of the people behind the headlines.

We deserve better treatment from those who claim to be working on our behalf. Students and families deserve representatives who care more about a child’s future than scoring political points.

For all of us in Prince George’s County Public Schools, especially our students, this tug-of-war must end.

Sincerely,

Prince George’s County Public Schools High School Principals, 2016-2017[/i][/quote]

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