NCLB: One Measure of Academic Success
The No Child Left Behind Act is one way of measuring student and school success. Signed into federal law in January 2002, NCLB focuses on greater accountability at the school level for student achievement and staff quality, sanctions for not performing, and parental involvement. NCLB requires all students to be at grade level in reading and math by 2013-14 and teachers to be "Highly Qualified" by 2006.
This year, Title I elementary schools - those receiving Title I funds from the federal government - that have not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two years in a row must offer students the choice of transferring to other schools. To make AYP, a school and all its student groups must achieve target scores - determined by the state - in reading and math.
Whenever a school has 40 or more students in one of the following categories, they qualify as a student group: 1) White, 2) Black, 3) Hispanic, 4) Native American, 5) Asian/Pacific Islander, 6) Multiracial, 7) Economically Disadvantaged Students, 8) Limited English Proficient Students, and 9) Students with Disabilities.
Although North Carolina's ABCs of public education and NCLB's adequate yearly progress (AYP) are both measured with the state's End-of-Grade tests, each standard looks at data differently. While the ABCs measure student growth over the course of a year, AYP measures school and student group performance against a fixed standard.
For example, a school with 95 percent of its students at or above grade level could show high growth by state standards, yet be targeted for school improvement for not meeting one of NCLB's standards. Sanctions would only apply to Title I elementary schools, which do not meet the standards two years in a row.
Although the new law's all-or-nothing approach will certainly prove challenging, the Wake County Public School System has good teachers, schools and the support of the community. With your help, we'll rise to the occasion. Just look at some of our recent accomplishments and accolades:
- The percentage of third-graders at or above grade level in math rose from 75.4 percent in 1998 to 93.5 percent in 2003; in eighth grade reading, the number at or above grade level increased from 86.4 percent in 1998 to 92.2 percent in 2003.
- WCPSS narrowed the achievement gap in math for students on free and reduced-price lunch from 35 percentage points in 1998 to 16 percentage points in 2003; in reading, the gap decreased from 35 points in 1998 to 21 points in 2003.
- Students' performance on the state's 2002-03 ABCs earned students recognition and teachers incentive bonuses; 89 schools achieved high growth and 31 achieved expected growth.
- WCPSS has over 665 teachers with National Board Certification, 110 Schools of Excellence or Schools of Distinction, and a record-high average SAT score of 1067.
- In April, Magnet Schools of America named Bugg Elementary the best magnet school in the nation. This is the second year in a row a WCPSS school earned the award; last year Washington Elementary was selected.
- In March, Johnny Gatlin, environmental sciences teacher at Middle Creek High, was selected as 2003-04 North Central Region Teacher of the Year, and will compete for the state title.
- In February, the American Association of School Administrators named Superintendent Bill McNeal 2004 National Superintendent of the Year, and Forbes Magazine named WCPSS third in the nation for the Best Education in the Biggest Cities.