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Schools

Group says schools fudged quality data

Saying many students, African-Americans especially, are underserved, the group will push for changes.

By JON WILSON
Published April 3, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Charging in its newsletter that Pinellas County schools have failed African-American students, a watchdog group tracking school quality is meeting Wednesday at the Enoch Davis Center.

The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. An optional $4 breakfast starts at 9 a.m.

"Anybody who wants to come, please feel free," said Vyrle Davis, co-chair of Concerned Organizations for Quality Education for Black Students.

"We're concerned about student achievement, with the understanding we're really focusing on black kids. However, when you look at all the achievement gap, there's quite a few others who need support," said Davis, a retired educator.

Specifically, the organization charges that students whose academic performance would have hurt the district's performance rating were omitted from the data used in ratings.

The group also charges that when achievement reports were requested for the omitted students, the data supplied were deliberately confusing.

The group, which has expressed confidence in new school superintendent Clayton Wilcox, plans to monitor the school system generally, follow development of the school choice program and keep close watch on tax-dollar spending.

"We're going to go to the community and ask for their support, talking about expectations of parents," Davis said.

The group also plans to recognize monthly an "unsung hero" who has made a substantial contribution to the community. Mildred Brown, a retired educator, will be honored Wednesday.

[Last modified April 3, 2005, 00:10:19]