Understanding The Work Of Michael Deshotels
Having followed the work of Michael Deshotels for almost seven years, I’ve come to understand his work, support his message, and count him as a trusted education advocate and personal friend. I also appreciate and support the work of other education advocates such as Lee Barrios and Dr. Mercedes Schneider. All of these folks have worked to bring to light what is wrong with what is happening in Louisiana’s education system just as I have. I have learned that sometimes no matter how hard you try, your message doesn’t get the traction it should because people don’t care, don’t understand, or interpreted the message, wrong.
When it comes to state assessments, student scores, and school performance schools, I believe that the four of us agree that the published results are meaningless based on the following reasons.
- The outcome is predetermined.
- The expected level of achievement is arbitrary.
- The cut scores used to determine the level of achievement are arbitrary.
- If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its life thinking it is a failure.
THE MESSAGE: Deshotels’ most recent publication, The LDOE claims steady growth in student LEAP scores, is a continuation of his effort to illustrate the invalidity of these scores. In his narrative, he points out that the average cut score for ELA and Math in grades 3-8 is 27%. The actual minimum number correct that a fourth grade student can get and receive a score of “Basic” is 21 of the 86 questions (24%). I note that the goal is “mastery;” however, “basic” is passing. CONTINUE READING: Understanding the work of Michael Deshotels – Educate Louisiana
