Published Wednesday, February 03, 2010 9:09 AM
Updated Wednesday, February 03, 2010 9:10 AM

 

Number of schools making the grade increase

Adequate Yearly Progress results are in, and the Berkeley County School District has doubled its number of schools this year that met all No Child Left Behind Act requirements.

Last year, seven county schools made the cut, and this year 14.

AYP measures student performance and proficiency on challenging academic state standards. The district met 35 of 37 (94.6 percent) AYP objectives, a significant increase over a 73 percent mark last year.

The district’s chief academic officer Archie Franchini gave school board members details of the AYP results at the board’s Jan. 26 meeting at the district office.

Twelve of the 33 schools rated missed only two or three objectives, Franchini said. Another 22 schools made gains in the number of AYP objectives they met.

According to AYP, schools that fail to meet 100 percent of its objectives are labeled “failing schools.”

“If I’d brought home a 96 from school my dad would have been proud. It would be an ‘A,’ not failing like it is in this system (AYP),” Franchini said. “Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the results we have.”

“We do not use the term ‘failing schools,’” Superintendent Anthony Parker said; instead he used the term “continuing to improve.

“Our South Carolina public schools are far better than what people would believe based on what they read. We want to focus on how do we get better.”

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, Franchini said during his presentation. Since that time, the act has sent federal assistance to poor schools, communities and children. No Child Left Behind is the latest authorization of ESEA.

Franchini says due to No Child Left Behind’s negative connotation, the current administration is calling it ESEA again.

Board Chairperson Doug Cooper said AYP’s “failing” labels do not reflect the hard work of teachers.

Board member Wilhelmina Moore said in some states students can re-take the AYP tests if they’re not proficient the first time.

Parker said the playing field is not level because each state has its own testing system. “Some states are lowering the bar and South Carolina keeps raisings standards,” he said. “We have schools that are in the midst of progress.”

14 Berkeley schools met all requirements this year of the federal No Child Left Behind Act:

Boulder Bluff Elementary

Cainhoy Elementary/Middle

Daniel Island School

Hanahan Elementary

Henry Bonner Elementary

Howe Hall AIMS

J.K. Gourdin Elementary

Marrington School

Sedgefield Intermediate

St. Stephen Elementary

St. Stephen Middle

Westview Elementary

Westview Primary