Some Utah schools improve on tests while others struggle to meet NCLB requirements
The Utah State Office of Education announced NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress reports today.
NCLB mandates are intended to help schools ensure all students are succeeding — regardless of ethnicity, income, disability or English skills — and are proficient in language arts and math by 2014.
Utah's testing officials also announced Monday how students did on the conglomerate of state-required tests: the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students.
To reach an acceptable level for U-PASS, a school must meet state standards in whole school participation, proficiency and progress.
Of elementary and middle schools, 85 percent achieved an acceptable level of performance with U-PASS this year, compared to 84 percent in 2007.
Of high schools, 94 percent achieved an acceptable level of performance this year compared to 79 percent in 2007.
State testing officials are continuing to examine the data but say the jump in high school U-PASS achievement could be due to an
Also, there is a difference this year in calculating the high school math segment of U-PASS. Students taking math classes at a level higher than algebra and geometry for credit were calculated into the mix, Park said.
NCLB data is based on results from the Criterion-Referenced Test which is taken each spring, as well as test participation and attendance. To achieve a passing mark on the AYP reports a school must have passing grades in all 40 testing categories.
Darryl Thomas, Granite School District director of research, assessment and evaluation, says he has seen principals and teachers burst into tears upon seeing their AYP reports.
"It is difficult," he said.
Of the elementary and middle schools (grades 3-8) that failed to pass AYP, 36.1 failed in just one category. For the nonpassing high schools, 47.6 percent failed in just one category.
For Title 1 schools that don't pass AYP, the situation is beyond emotional: It means the school is put on a "school improvement list" and is subject to sanctions. A school is designated Title 1 based on the number of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
While more schools passed AYP this year than in the previous year, some subcategories indicate students continue to face challenges in areas of race, language, socioeconomic status and learning disabilities.
Recent comments
RE:Science Teacher | 8:42 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008
Quick thinker says…Quick Thinker | Oct. 7, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.
I think most teachers feel your pain!!! I know I do!!!
RE:Julie | Oct. 2, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
Elementary School principals don't have athletics to stay for. I…
JUlie | Sept. 30, 2008 at 11:24 p.m.
