University High School on State's Lowest Achieving List

For the second year in a row, is on the state's persistently lowest achieving school list along with 98 other schools in the state.

The PLA list, which was released Friday morning, is determined through a formula that looks at student proficiency levels and academic improvement rates in math and reading only, graduation rates below 60 percent, and reaching federal academic goals. UHS's graduation rates, however, are nearly 100 percent.

"In 2010, the MDE also ranked UHS in the 11th percentile of all schools on the 2010 Top to Bottom List," said Stephanie Hall, Ferndale Public Schools director of pupil services and community relations, in an emailed statement. "... Although UHS remains on the PLA list this year, significant improvements to teaching and learning have resulted in UHS being ranked at the 64th percentile on the MDE’s 2011 Top to Bottom list, a significant improvement." Being in the 64th percentile means that 64 percent of the schools in the state ranked below UHS.

The PLA list is different than the MDE's top-to-bottom list, which was also released Friday morning, and bases it on achievement gaps in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies, student achievement and proficiency and the graduation rate for high school buildings.

UHS, despite winding up on the PLA list, was the highest ranked Ferndale School at 64th percentile. was second at the 50th percentile and was last of the Ferndale Public Schools at the 4th percentile. (Read more about it .)

Of the 98 schools on the PLA list, 40 are new to it while 34 came off of last year's list, which had 92. The 2011 PLA list represents 53 districts; 38 of the schools are located in Detroit.

The district, despite showing up on the PLA list, is proud of the achievement and improvement UHS has shown through the years.

"I am proud of University High School’s teachers and administration and the work they’ve done to ensure students are prepared for college success in the seven years since they opened," Ferndale Superintendent Gary Meier said in an emailed statement. "University High School graduates nearly 100 percent of our students, 100 percent are accepted to college, and of those who have entered college over the past three years, 85 percent are still in college. Excellent Schools Detroit also ranked UHS as one of the top 10 high schools educating students in Detroit."

UHS is one of seven Oakland County schools to be on the PLA list and one of four that were on the list last year.

Oakland County Schools on the PLA list

On the list in 2010

Hazel Park Junior High School

No

Madison High School

No

Oak Park High School

Yes

Oak Park Preparatory Academy

No

Pontiac High School

Yes

Southfield Regional Academic Campus

Yes

University High School

Yes

Schools on the PLA list, over the next 90 days, must enter into one of four redesign plans to improve the schools, according to the MDE. According to Hall, the district submitted a "transformation" plan after being placed on the list in 2010. This plan, Hall said, included plans to focus on improving performance on the ACT and Michigan Merit Exam tests. "We are waiting to learn what our appearance on the 2011 list means," Hall said.

Schools that don't comply with MDE requirements in regards to the PLA list are subject to state takeover, Hall said.

The four redesign models from the MDE include:

• Transformational Model – Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformational model; 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies; 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools; and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.
• Turnaround Model – This would include among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.
• Restart Model – School districts would close the school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator; a charter management organization; or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to enroll, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.
• School Closure – The district would close a failing school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.