New data reflects poorly for some local schools, but experts say take with a grain of salt

There is a lot more parents must consider when choosing a school for their child.

Amy Davis recently had to decide what school her child would attend in Wake County.

“As any parent, you look at the scores, the test scores and the ratings,” said Davis.

What's your school's performance grade for the 2021-22 school year?

In Wake County, the number of schools considered low-performing increased from 30 to 38. That’s around 20% of the district.

The score is based on student test scores.

I asked Davis, a WRAL GoAskMom contributor, how that affected her decision.

“Take it with a grain of salt, do your research, do not just go on one rating,” said Davis.

Particularly, she said, after the effect the pandemic had on student learning.

But Keith Poston with WakeEd partnership said more context is needed to know what is really going on in schools.

“There are some troubling numbers in there,” said Poston.

In Wake County, parents can learn a lot more with these online progress reports. It shows how the school stacks up in test scores.

But also the qualifications of teachers at the school and the learning growth the school is achieving.

“To me, the most important is the growth score,” said Poston.

State data shows growth is happening - with students re-gaining some academic ground lost in the pandemic.

“If a teacher takes you to grade level or a grade further from where you were to where you got to, that teacher in that school is doing a great job,” said Poston.

Davis also did some in-person homework.

“I think you have to have boots on the ground, see the school," said Davis. "Meet the teachers. Meet the administrators. Talk to the parents.”

It seems to have paid off for her family.

“Just two weeks in, I know it was the right choice," said Davis. "100%.”