11285 West Grier Rd. Marana, AZ.  85653   Phone: 682-4730 Fax: 682-4790

Phone (520) 682-4730
Fax (520) 682-4790

                        

 Lerona Dickson, Principal
 Mike Tinghitella, Associate Principal 
 Edward Walker, Associate Principal

David Linn, Dean of Students
 Gary Smoot, Dean of Students

  
                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Friday, October 6, 2017
Dear Marana Middle School Parents, 
The Arizona State Board of Education has released a Letter Grade Score (A-F) for every school in Arizona. This new system is required by federal law to measure school performance and is required by state law to do so through an A-F letter grade system. 
The new A-F Accountability System assesses only Quantitative Data - how well students in grade levels 3-12 performed on the AzMERIT and/or AIMS assessment in April 2017, annual growth in key areas, absenteeism, as well as student readiness and language proficiency assessment scores. For high schools, factors such as dropout and graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators are taken into consideration. The system does not assess Qualitative Data such as quality and type of programs offered, awards, emotional and social growth, extra-curricular activities, or any of the other student opportunities which contribute to a safe and successful learning environment and the growth of our students. 
Marana Middle School has been informed that we received a D letter grade. While we are disappointed in this grade, it is important to recognize that letter grades are just one measure of how well a school is performing. They are a snapshot in time, representing a single week of testing; they are merely one variable and not reflective of everything happening in our great school. We also recognize that the state’s standardized tests, AzMERIT/AIMS, is not required for graduation and not the sole determinate on whether or not a student will be successful in college, career, and life.  
As a school, we appreciate the feedback that quantitative data can provide, and we will use this information as we continue our focus on student achievement.  I have been an administrator for over eleven years and am in my third year as a middle school principal; I can assure you that MMS is a great school.  I am very proud to lead this group of dedicated professionals.  
Since joining the Marana Middle School staff, I have been impressed by the commitment our staff has made to supporting out student. Teachers and administrators understand the importance of having systems in place that will lead to a culture of learning in all classrooms.  Our teams have established clear behavior expectations in all classrooms and teachers have a system in place to ensure that all students are engaged in the learning. 
We have increased our emphasis on successful instructional practices and professional development to provide teachers the tools and resources they need.  Teachers are spending time thoroughly reviewing the state standards, developing meaningful assessments, and analyzing data to identify where there may be learning gaps for each student.  Our goal is to have system-wide intervention program in place by the end of this semester. 
Our teachers embrace high accountability and data-driven instruction as a means to improve academic achievement.  As a staff, we are more committed than ever to continue to refine and improve our practices with the goal of increasing student achievement. 
You, as a parent, are a very important part of the educational process as we continue our focus on student achievement and preparing all students to be college and career ready. In addition to the assistance and nurturing you give to your child, we encourage you to continue to support your child's learning by making sure your child attends school daily, by following your child’s academic progress through MUSD Connection and communicating with your child’s teacher(s). 
Thank you for your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. 
Your partner in education,
Lerona Dickson
Lerona Dickson
Principal