Summary:
The University Preparatory Science and Math (PSAD) district in Michigan operates three schools: University Preparatory Science and Math PSAD Middle School, University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary, and University Preparatory Science and Math PSAD High School. Despite the district's focus on science and math, the schools consistently underperform compared to state averages across a range of metrics, including test scores, attendance, and graduation rates.
All three PSAD schools have extremely high percentages of African American students, ranging from 97.01% to 98.51%, raising concerns about equity and access to educational opportunities for other racial and ethnic groups. The schools also struggle with low proficiency rates on standardized tests, with 6th grade ELA proficiency at the middle school reaching just 17.5% compared to the state average of 37.5%. Chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge, with rates ranging from 47.6% to 70.5% across the district.
Despite the relatively high per-student spending, which ranges from $11,600 to $13,204, the PSAD schools are not achieving strong academic outcomes. This suggests that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution, and that other factors, such as curriculum, instruction, and school culture, need to be examined. Addressing the systemic challenges within the district, including low performance, high chronic absenteeism, and equity concerns, will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improve educational outcomes for the students of PSAD.
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