The bar was raised and the number of local schools making AYP fell, according to information released Friday from the Georgia Department of Education.
AYP, which stands for adequate yearly progress, is the measure used by the federal No Child Left Behind Act to measure progress. In Richmond County, 50.9 percent of schools made AYP, down from 70.2 percent last year, and in Columbia County 89.3 percent made AYP; last year it was 100 percent.
"I do believe we've seen progress and where there wasn't in many cases we know why," Richmond County Superintendent Dana Bedden said.
Of the 16 elementary schools that failed to make AYP, 14 missed the mark because of math, Dr. Bedden said.
But Morgan Road and Tubman middle schools were among a group of 19 contract-monitored schools, a group that has persisted on the "needs improvement" list longer than any other in the state, that made AYP this year. If they do so again next year, they will be removed from the list. Glenn Hills Middle, the other Richmond County school in that group, did not make AYP.
Dr. Lauren Williams, the Columbia County associate superintendent of student learning, said North Harlem Elementary and Evans High schools fell short because black pupils did not meet federal standards for math. At Harlem High, economically disadvantaged students and the overall student population did not make adequate yearly progress. The school system as a whole also did not make adequately yearly progress among black students and those with disabilities.
In neighboring McDuffie County, all four elementary schools made AYP, but Thomson Middle and Thomson High schools did not.
"The bottom line is, I'm just disappointed that the measuring didn't hold up for us, and our staff worked extremely hard meeting the needs of our kids," McDuffie County Superintendent Mark Petersen said.
Statewide, fewer schools reached the state's threshold for adequate yearly progress than in the past four years. More than half the state's high schools fell short.
The result is 340 schools across the state were designated as "needs improvement."
HOW DOES A SCHOOL MAKE AYP?
A school must meet three requirements to make AYP. At least 95 percent of pupils must take the required state testing, the required percentage of pupils must pass the reading/language arts and math portions of the test and a second indicator must be met. In most elementary and middle schools, the second indicator is attendance. In high schools, the second indicator is often the graduation rate.
In addition, a school must meet these three standards for all of its subgroups with 40 or more pupils, such as race, poverty and students with disabilities. A school can meet all of the measures but miss just one and not make AYP.
what are the standards?
REQUIRED PASSING PERCENTAGE
The percentage of pupils needed to pass required state testing for a school to make AYP is increasing steadily. By 2014, 100 percent of pupils must pass these tests.
| 2007 | 2008 | |
Reading and English/ | 66.7% | 73.3% |
Mathematics (grades 3-8) | 58.3% | 59.5% |
English (grade 11) | 84.7% | 87.7% |
Mathematics (grade 11) | 68.8% | 74.9% |
NEW CURRICULUM
The state has been phasing in its new curriculum, switching from the Quality Core Curriculum, which was considered broad but shallow, to the Georgia Performance Standards, which covers fewer topics but goes into more depth.
The new curriculum is more rigorous, requiring pupils to demonstrate understanding of a topic rather than memorization of facts, as had been required in the old curriculum.
With the more rigorous curriculum came a more rigorous state test, which proved especially difficult in math in grades 3, 4, 5 and 8.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
Nothing happens the first time a school misses making AYP. If it fails to make AYP for two consecutive years, it is placed on the "needs improvement" list.
WHAT DOES "NEEDS IMPROVEMENT" MEAN?
Schools face escalating consequences the longer they stay on the "needs improvement" list. The consequences remain at the same level if a school makes AYP once.
HOW DOES A SCHOOL GET OFF THE LIST?
A "needs improvement" school must make AYP for two consecutive years to get off the list.
Walter Jones and Lynn Davidson of Morris News Service contributed to this story.
Reach Betsy Gilliland and Greg Gelpi at (706) 724-0851.
Full report
See the full report online at http://www1.ccboe.net/pr/pdf/2008/2008-0725.pdf
THE DOWNSIDE
50.9% - Schools in Richmond County that made AYP
89.3% - Schools in Columbia County that made AYP
THE UPSIDE
Morgan Road and Tubman middle schools meet standard
AYP RESULTS
RICHMOND COUNTY
SCHOOL: A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Academy of Richmond County
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 9
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: School system will offer either school choice or free tutoring
SCHOOL: Barton Chapel Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Bayvale Elementary
AYP: No
-TARGETS MET: 7 of 8
SCHOOL: Blythe Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 7 of 8
SCHOOL: Butler High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 2 of 7
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and corrective action
SCHOOL: C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Collins Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Copeland Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Craig-Houghton Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Cross Creek High
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: School choice
SCHOOL: John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Deer Chase Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Diamond Lakes Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: East Augusta Middle
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 8
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and corrective action
SCHOOL: Freedom Park Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
SCHOOL: Garrett Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 8 of 8
SCHOOL: Glenn Hills Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Glenn Hills High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 8
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and corrective action
SCHOOL: Glenn Hills Middle
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 7 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Goshen Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Gracewood Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Hains Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Hephzibah Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Hephzibah High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 9
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring and school choice
SCHOOL: Hephzibah Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 12 of 12
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring and school choice
SCHOOL: Hornsby Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 6 of 6
SCHOOL: Jamestown Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Jenkins-White Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Josey High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 9
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Lake Forest Hills Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Lamar Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 8
SCHOOL: Laney High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 3 of 8
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and corrective action
SCHOOL: Langford Middle
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 7 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and corrective action
SCHOOL: McBean Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Meadowbrook Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Merry Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Milledge Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Monte Sano Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Morgan Road Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Murphey Middle
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 9
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: National Hills Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 7
SCHOOL: Rollins Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 9
SCHOOL: Sego Middle
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 11 of 12
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Southside Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Spirit Creek Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 12 of 12
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Sue Reynolds Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 8 of 9
SCHOOL: Terrace Manor Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Tobacco Road Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 7
SCHOOL: Tubman Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 12 of 12
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring, school choice and state-directed status
SCHOOL: Tutt Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring and school choice
SCHOOL: Warren Road Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Westside High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 7 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: School system will offer either school choice or free tutoring
SCHOOL: Wheeless Road Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Wilkinson Gardens Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 5 of 10
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: School system will offer either school choice or free tutoring
SCHOOL: Willis Foreman Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 4 of 7
SCHOOL: Windsor Spring Road Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 8
COLUMBIA COUNTY
SCHOOL: Bel Air Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Blue Ridge Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Brookwood Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Cedar Ridge Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Euchee Creek Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Evans Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 5 of 5
SCHOOL: Greenbrier Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 8 of 8
SCHOOL: Grovetown Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Lewiston Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: Martinez Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: North Columbia Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: North Harlem Elementary
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: River Ridge Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 5 of 5
SCHOOL: Riverside Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 9 of 9
SCHOOL: South Columbia Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Stevens Creek Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Westmont Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Columbia Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Evans Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Greenbrier Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
SCHOOL: Grovetown Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Harlem Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Lakeside Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Riverside Middle
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 10 of 10
SCHOOL: Evans High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 8 of 9
SCHOOL: Greenbrier High
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Harlem High
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 6 of 9
SCHOOL: Lakeside High
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 6 of 6
MCDUFFIE COUNTY
SCHOOL: Dearing Elementary School
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 7 of 7
SCHOOL: Maxwell Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Norris Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 12 of 12
SCHOOL: Thomson Elementary
AYP: Yes
TARGETS MET: 11 of 11
SCHOOL: Thomson Middle School
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 10 of 11
SCHOOL: Thomson High School
AYP: No
TARGETS MET: 9 of 11
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Yes
CONSEQUENCE: Free tutoring and school choice
Source: Georgia Department of Education
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