54% of Michigan third-graders failed proficiency reading test. Whose at Fault? The system of course!

Michigan's education system continues to fail our students based on recent and past state proficiency tests. https://midwest.edtrust.org/issue-areas/top-ten-education-state/

These results are based on public school test scores. Parents of children in private schools fool themselves and think there child is receiving a better education but private schools do not have to share tests results. Working in a private school for 8 years I can tell you there is a high percentage of students who are not reading at grade level. Math is also a problem.

So where is the failure?
 There is a danger here (All of the agencies and so-called educational watchers) that continues in our educational systems and that is we continue to monitor/grade/evaluate our educational systems with outdated means (Using only result/after the fact measures). We grade our educational systems based on after the fact detection and inspection with a "fix and then replace mentality."  Ask any teacher how many standards and policies they must adhere to that have come down the pike from the Federal government to their own school systems.

While the student is the product that continues to be graded and evaluated and then the school there is no means for evaluating the systems and processes that produced the grade.

Case in point. Why do so many children dislike school after third grade? Why do so many teachers wish to leave the profession and no longer want to be in the classroom?

How many students that are failing the proficiency tests (RESULT MEASURE) are on a plan of action to improve (PROCESS MEASURE)? Not just as a part of the whole class but specifically for their needs. We can't continue to wait until the tests to identify and inspect quality in our students (This is the methods that the auto companies used to detect defects that costs them their industry) after the fact.

"In order for each student to be successful there must be an understanding and balance between the partners."

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I have been using the "Quality Educational Partnership Triangle" since 2004. It comes in handy when I talk to teachers and most importantly when I talk to parents about education and what is need to help their child succeed in school. All groups must be working together for the student to be successful. If one corner of the triangle fails the percentage of the student to be successful falls at an alarming rate based on my years of meeting with thousands of students and parents.

It is a very simple concept that relies on each corner (Administrators,  Parents, and Teachers) of the triangle to be working together interdependently. The main three groups of the triangle are revolving around the student rather than teachers, parents or administrators.

Teachers and Parents know if their student/child can't read and they each blame each other for the problem and expect the other to fix it. Parents you better get involved from day one of school and  read to you child at home 5-7 days a week even if it is a short story.  The love of reading must take place as much as you need to feed and cloth your child.

Teachers you best put a child on an improvement plan that goes with that child from second grade on once it is determined they have a reading deficiency. Administrators it is your job to lead and make sure this is being done. 

Parents - if this is not done pull your child from that school and find one that is willing to work with you and your child.