Jeffers Beating the Odds

Jeffers Elementary has been named a "real success story" by the Michigan Department of Education in a recent study.  Jeffers is one of 18 elementary buildings in the state that has excelled in all categories.

Click here to see the state presentation on Jeffers Elementary.

MDE press release:

There are real success stories in Michigan school buildings that are considered by some to have traditional barriers to academic achievement, the Michigan Department of Education reports.

Over 100 schools in Michigan are finding ways to overcome the identifiable risk factors to low student achievement, such as low economic status, race and ethnicity, or proficiency with the English language.

“These are schools that are doing remarkable things to help their students achieve, despite the odds being stacked against them,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) conducted two separate studies to indentify schools that are “Beating the Odds.” One study identified 63 schools that are performing above their predicted levels, based on risk factors. The second study identified 72 schools that perform better than a comparison group of schools with similar demographics.

Of the 135 schools identified, 20 schools including 18 elementary, one middle and one high school “beat the odds” in light of both studies’ criteria and were interviewed and profiled for this release. Six additional schools met both criteria, however were not profiled because they are gifted and talented magnet schools.

The schools represent districts from across the spectrum of the state, from large urban districts, to suburban, and remote rural schools.

Many of the “Beating the Odds” schools said that their use of student testing data to inform instruction, and having strong community support for high standards and accountability as the key reasons behind their success.

“But this ultimately is about what teachers are doing with their students in the classroom and principal leadership,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan said that every school district in Michigan should look at the schools on the lists and find one that most closely resembles the makeup of schools in their district and find out what they can do to replicate that model.

“If I were a local superintendent again, I would contact that school beating the odds and find out what they are doing and put those things in place in my schools,” Flanagan said.

“There’s been a lot of public focus over the past year on schools that struggle,” he added. “A lot of schools are doing great things and we want to highlight them.”

This is the first-time this type of meaningful information has been released and is part of the Michigan Department of Education’s continuing commitment to bring “Light of Day” to school data and information to help improve elementary and secondary education.