Portland’s public schools “are in good shape and getting better all the time,” and Portland is still committed to becoming the best urban school district in the country by 2017, said Sarah Thompson, chair of the Portland Board of Public Education, during her State of the Schools address Monday.
Thompson said in her address to the City Council that the district continues to plan for facilities upgrades, which have been studied over the years. The biggest challenge is rebuilding Hall Elementary School, which is lined up for state funding after being damaged by a fire in 2012.
She also said the district is planning for curriculum changes, as the state is moving toward the Common Core.
“We are also increasing learning time,” she said.
She said the school budget proposed for 2015-16 is “austere and modest,” especially in light of uncertainty surrounding the state budget process.
Thompson said the city’s District Scorecard, developed by Superintendent Emmanuel Caulk, is one example of how the district is accountable and transparent.
While the District Scorecard highlights positive results for fifth-grade reading and 11th-grade math and an increase in SAT scores, she said, third-graders who are black or economically disadvantaged trailed other groups.
“That’s important to know because third-grade reading ability is a key indicator of future academic success,” Thompson said.
She noted that 26 percent of parents responded to a survey that was offered in English and seven other languages. Over 90 percent of those parents indicated that they felt the schools were safe and they felt respected.
Thompson also highlighted awards and certifications earned by the staff, and other initiatives, including the principal for a day program, which puts business leaders in public schools; and expanding science and math education.
“Even with competition from charter schools, our schools offer the best opportunity for robust learning in science and math,” she said.
Thompson also noted the standardized-testing success of students at Presumpscot Elementary School, which has a “high percentage of students living in poverty.”