Researching Public Schools

If you’re a parent, I imagine you’ve been in conversations about school choice and the rapid changes happening in public schools (especially since Covid-19). When I was growing up in the 90s, there were two school options — public or private. Now it’s a different world. I’ve taught in public schools on the East and West Coast, and will focus today on answering some questions parents have asked me — how do I research my local public school? How do I tell what’s a good school in general? How do I know what’s a good fit for my child?

Let’s jump in!

Find the SARC — School Accountability Report Card

First things first, you should be able to find the SARC — School Accountability Report Card on your district website. *Your district might also have a different name for it, such as a “School Report Card.”

An example of a SARC for an elementary school in California

Some key things to look at:

Average teacher salaries: are they high or low? Is there growth in how much teachers can earn? If so, teachers are more likely to be happy, cared for, heard. Classrooms will more likely have funding for supporting diverse students, field trips, and good curriculum.
Teacher turn-over rates: How often are teachers leaving mid-year? Lot’s of turn-over shows a lack of administrative support, resources, and/or a difficult school climate. I made the mistake of not thoroughly researching this myself before accepting a position at an elementary school. My entire 2nd grade team (including myself) left by the end of that school year.
Student test scores (compared to state average): Be careful though, lower test scores aren’t always bad. If there are many English language learners at your school, for example, tests will swing lower even if the teachers and curriculum are amazing.
School climate: Rate of suspensions, safety, and parent involvement are also important.

Other Important Websites:

It’s very helpful to read the school district goals and strategies, as well as the superintendent’s message. What’s their mission statement? Does it align with your values?
You can also read the principle’s message and any weekly/monthly checks-in to feel out their values and focus. Do they care about parent involvement and communication? That’s a good sign.
Some school websites will also give you a peak at the curriculum they use.

*Here’s an example of a district’s goals. From the first goal, you can see that they take a holistic approach — valuing students’ academics AND social-emotional needs.*

Tour!

There’s nothing like taking a tour in person. Sometimes websites can be deceiving and misaligned with reality — or they can be spot on. Come with questions and trust your parent instincts, but remember that 99% of teachers want to have a good relationship with you and help your child thrive. Believe the best in everyone.

Teaching kids HOW to think vs. WHAT to think

I’m personally most excited about school districts that value parent relationships & involvement, *diversity, research-based teaching, and student-oriented teaching. They’re more likely to care about teaching kids HOW to think instead of WHAT to think. A classic example would be a teacher who adjusts the curriculum to meet her students’ needs and curiosities vs. just training kids for standardized tests. Also, our ever changing job market demands flexible, creative, persistent workers. We have to prepare kids for jobs that don’t exist yet, whereas we used to just prepare kids for standard jobs like nursing and engineering. Technology has changed our world A LOT.

*Diversity is a heated word these days — I think a school that values diversity in healthy way honors the cultures, experiences, and needs of its students and families — which also means they also don’t step on the values or rights of parents. Parents are still seen as the primary caretakers and moral guides of their children, not teachers.

A smaller district can also be great - often things can get done more quickly and communication can be more consistent and effective. In general, government funded organizations are like a slow moving whale. The bigger, the harder to turn it around.

Notes about Neighborhood Taxes & Title I Schools

What is Title 1? Title I is a federal education program that funds high poverty schools throughout the nation. A school is classified as Title 1 based on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Funds can help hire teachers, sustain before and after school programs, improve technology, and other school equipment.
The sad truth of public schools is that they are funded by local taxes, so children don’t have equal education experiences. That’s the big reason for the Title I program. Parental involvement and contribution can differ greatly too. For example, in the same school district, I worked at a Title I school in a diverse, immigrant neighborhood, and later at a wealthy school in a long-established neighborhood. In our Title 1 classroom, we worked very hard to fund two field trips that entire year, while in the wealthy school we went on six field trips with ease.
Some special things about Title I schools:
- Teachers: I found that often Title I teachers are the most hardworking, dedicated, and compassionate people I’ve met. They work long hours and give from their own pockets to meet extra classroom needs. Many advocate fiercely for their students, whether that means helping them get the resources for a disability or even going to court for them. Teaching isn’t just a job but a mission for them, a critical way to make the world a better place. You’ll often find this mindset in all teachers, but it takes a special teacher to work in Title I. I personally didn’t have the stamina to stay in the Title I schools I taught at long-term, as much as I loved the children and families.
- Students: I’ve loved the diversity in Title 1 schools. For example, many of my immigrant students were hard working and delightful to teach, enriching the classroom with their experiences, perspectives, and cultures. I treasured their gifts for me — a Mulan doll from China, a wooden treasure box from Iran, a chiffon silk scarf from India, and a Russian Santa filled with chocolates. I traveled the world by stepping into our classroom every day, and my students made me a better teacher and person in general.
- I personally believe the administration of a Title I school makes or breaks the culture and the success of students. If teachers are supported and believed in, no matter the challenges they face, teachers and therefore their students can thrive.
- Title I schools aren’t the best fit for every student but they can be special places.

The Best Thing…

As a parent, perhaps the best thing you can do in ANY school is establish a good relationship with the teacher — show trust and helpfulness when you’re able, and believe the best in them because its a hard job. (Also, no matter what a teacher’s political beliefs are, they generally are some of the hardest working and self-sacrificial people you’ll meet). Teachers are blessed by humble, helpful parents vs suspicious parents or entitled parents who believe their kid is going to be the next president. Also, if you pray, pray for your teachers and school. They need it.

It only takes one kid to change the entire atmosphere of a classroom. Your child can be that light in the classroom, too.