Dayton Schools Put Students First

RE THE LETTER TO THE EDITOR, “DPS IN ‘moral emergency’,” Oct. 16: As a parent of four

children enrolled in Dayton Public Schools and a

regular school volunteer, I would like to help educate the writer about the district’s attendance initiative.

“Count Week” is established by the Ohio Department of Education, not the Dayton Board of Education. A public school’s state funding for the entire school year is based upon its “Count Week” number. Districts are entitled to receive money for all students enrolled within their system.

While attendance at school is always encouraged, a special emphasis during “Count Week” insures that DPS receives all the funding to which it is entitled. By maximizing its financial position, the district can strive to address the learning needs of the diverse student population throughout the school year. Students are the first priority.

Under Superintendent Percy Mack’s leadership, the district has focused on improving student attendance. In fact, at Franklin Montessori School and Stivers School for the Arts, where my children attend, the student attendance rates actually exceeded the state attendance requirement of 93 percent for the past two years. Other schools within the district performed equally as well.

While the district is currently operating under the label of “academic emergency,” the Dayton Public Schools made significant gains in student performance on state tests in 2004-2005. In fact, had fewer than 20 students scored slightly higher on their achievement tests last year, the district would have moved out of this status. Improving academic performance is a major area of focus.

If there is a “moral emergency,” it is with those who are quick to judge and condemn.

DONNA LACHANCE

DAYTON