Wheatley and National Rankings May 2013 1
Recent National Rankings Several national High School Rankings have been published within the past several weeks Wheatley Ranking National NYS LI US News & World Report #108 #19 #3 Challenge Index (Jay Matthews) #146 #7 #5 Newsweek #92 #25 #4 2
US News & World Report Rankings based on a three-step methodology: Comparison of school’s performance on state 1) mathematics and English against the statistically expected performance Comparison of the performance of least-advantaged 2) students (black, Hispanic, low-income) with state- wide results for these same groups. Schools that made it through these first two steps were 3) then judged nationally on college-readiness. This metric took into account AP/IB participation and passing rates using a formula that combined the number of 12th Grade students that took and passed at least one AP/IB exam during high school with a simple AP/IB participation rate. 3
Pros and Cons: US News • Takes into account multiple measures, including student performance on state and national exams Pros • Advantageous for economically and socially diverse schools • Looks at 22,000 schools and filters down to three main designations: Gold, Silver and Bronze Cons • Relies solely on public data • Does not verify data with schools 4
US News & WR Recent Ranking Wheatley’s Historical USN&WR Ranking National Year Rank NYS Rank LI Rank Index Status 2009 88 19 4 63.6 Gold 2012* 246 / 146 40 / 27 13 / 8 56.7 / 66 Gold 2013 108 19 3 74.3 Gold Notes: The 2012 Rankings were roundly criticized for using • erroneous data to arrive at the index values. The aforementioned table includes the data as reported by US News as well as the correct data. 5
Challenge Index Rankings The original high school ranking list, developed by Jay Matthews (of the Washington Post). Previously reported as the Newsweek list, before Newsweek was sold and decided to develop its own ranking system. Very simply methodology that relies on a ratio of two data points: Total number of AP/IB exams given 1) Size of graduating class 2) ����� ������ �� ��/�� ����� ����� Challenge Index = ���� �� ���������� ����� 6
Pros and Cons: Challenge Index • Simple calculation Pros • Takes into account the number of AP/IB exams given each year • No student performance factored into the index Cons • Reliance solely on AP/IB exams given makes it easy to manipulate 7
Challenge Index Historical Ranking Wheatley’s Historical Ranking Year Rank Index 1998 1 2.862 2000 12 2.696 2003 30 3.146 2005 85 2.887 2006 178 2.591 2007 115 3.227 2008 67 4.025 2009 119 3.594 27% 2010 154 3.518 increase in 2011 95 4.478 Index 2012 117 4.600 value 2013 146 4.561 8
Newsweek Rankings A relatively new ranking, using the following methodology: 4-year on-time graduation rate (25%) 1) Percent of graduates accepted to college (25%) 2) AP/IB tests per student (25%) 3) Average SAT or ACT score (10%) 4) Average AP/IB score (10%) 5) % of students enrolled in at least one AP/IB 6) courses (5%) 9
Pros and Cons: Newsweek • Graduation rate and college acceptance are important factors Pros • AP/IB courses offered and AP participation rate helps normalize schools by size • Takes into account multiple measures, including student performance on AP/IB exams • Reliance on SAT and ACT scores, which are exams that are not directly taught by most schools Cons • Change in criteria for 2013 led to dramatic changes in Index values, making longitudinal comparisons challenging 10
Newsweek Index Historical Ranking Wheatley’s Historical Newsweek Ranking National Year Rank NYS Rank LI Rank Index 2011 55 9 4 0.973 2012 62 9 4 1.150 2013 92 25 4 3.580 Notes: The top schools on Newsweek’s list tend to be magnet, • selective or charter schools Wheatley is ranked 22nd nationally and 8th in NYS • among schools with Open admissions 11
Points to Consider 12
Index Improvements An improved index value does not necessarily result in an improved ranking In the Newsweek ranking (from 2011 to 2012): Wheatley, CSH, GNN, GNS, Manhassset, South Side (RVC) and Syosset had improved index values even as their rankings decreased Jericho saw a 25% improvement in its index value, yet their rank “improved” only 4 places (to 41 from 45) In the US News ranking (from 2009 to 2013), Wheatley, CSH, GNS and Jericho each had improved Index values with a decrease in national ranking 13
Different Types of Schools Magnet schools, select schools and charter schools dominate the top echelons of these rankings. In Newsweek’s list, only three of top 50 schools are Open enrollment The average Special Education enrollment for the top 50 schools on the Challenge Index is 3.6% The lists are stacked with schools having more affluent populations Schools with the greatest challenges can appear to be the greatest failures 14
Final Thoughts Each index is a statement of values, ranking schools based on attempts to measure academic achievement Art, music and theatre programs have little direct impact on these rankings Dual enrollment courses such as those we have through SUPA, Adelphi, Stony Brook, St. John’s and Molloy have no impact on the rankings Athletic opportunities and student clubs and activities have no impact on the rankings “Chasing the Rankings” can have unintended consequences to a school’s culture 15
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