Closing schools not a good time for negativism

This is in response to Kim Inglis of Newbury Park and others who criticize "low scoring schools."

In the public debate that seems to be building over schools that might close in Conejo Valley Unified School District, we're beginning to see people feeling the need to dismiss the efforts and accomplishments of neighboring schools in order to make a case for not closing their school.

It would be misinformed to compare schools using API scores and suggest closures based solely on these scores. In addition to API, California provides the public with a "similar schools ranking" so that schools with similar characteristics are compared with other schools that also share those distinctions.

For example, socioeconomic status of students, language background of students, education of students' parents and mobility factors must be considered when attempting to compare schools.

Reaching a "10" in this similar schools ranking is supposed to tell a school that they're doing an excellent job with the specific challenges they face when compared to similar schools with like percentages of English learners, families struggling financially or other factors that contribute to performance on California standardized tests.

Many of the schools being labeled as having poor instructional programs because they have lower API scores are actually doing an exceptional job with their students. They have outstanding instruction and support services for students, and they are competing at the top of the similar schools rankings.

All schools that are potential candidates for closure are passionate about being able to continue their efforts on behalf of their families, neighborhoods and especially students.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all continue to do that without all the distractions of put-downs and misinformation that are circulating in attempts to gain an advantage in the selection that no one wants to win?

In the end, when the decisions have been made and schools have been consolidated, we will have to work together, so let's not create dissension in this very difficult situation. Romana Hudes Westlake Village

Seven other teachers also agreed with this letter.