No Child Left Behind - District Improvement
Q: What is Title I?
A: Title I provides federal funds for schools to help students who are not achieving at grade level. In the Wake County Public School System, elementary schools that have 35% or more free and reduced lunch students receive Title I funds. These funds are used to hire extra teachers, provide additional materials and supplies, and fund parent involvement activities. The school district also uses Title I funds for prekindergarten programs.
Q: My school does not receive Title I funds. Why am I receiving this letter?
A: The law requires that the school district notify all parents of WCPSS students, regardless of Title I status, if the district does not make Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row and enters Title I District Improvement. Title I District Improvement is based on the performance of all students in all schools, regardless of Title I status.
Q: What is Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP?
A: Under No Child Left Behind, Adequate Yearly Progress measures the progress of different student groups at the school, district, and state level against yearly targets in reading and math. The major goal of this law is for all public school students to perform at grade level in reading and math by the 2013-14 school year.
Q: What are the student groups that are examined?
A: The students groups are:
- All Students
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Native American
- Asian
- Multiracial
- Economically Disadvantaged Students (students who receive free/reduced lunch)
- Limited English Proficient Students (new English language learners)
- Students with Disabilities (students who receive special education services)
Students in all groups are required to perform at the same target levels.
Q: What happens to schools that do not make Adequately Yearly Progress?
A: If a Title I school does not make AYP goals for two years in a row, the school must offer Public School Choice, the option to transfer to other schools that met their AYP goals.
Q: What are the AYP goals?
A:
YEAR |
GRADES 3-8 (%)
|
GRADE 10 (%) |
||
READING |
MATHEMATICS
|
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS |
MATHEMATICS |
|
2005-06 |
76.7 |
65.8 |
35.4 |
70.8 |
2006-07 |
76.7 |
65.8 |
35.4 |
70.8 |
2007-08 |
84.4 |
77.2 |
56.9 |
80.5 |
2008-09 |
84.4 |
77.2 |
56.9 |
80.5 |
2009-10 |
84.4 |
77.2 |
56.9 |
80.5 |
2010-11 |
92.2 |
88.6 |
78.4 |
90.2 |
2011-12 |
92.2 |
88.6 |
78.4 |
90.2 |
2012-13 |
92.2 |
88.6 |
78.4 |
90.2 |
2013-14 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Q: How do I know my school’s AYP status?
A: You may view your school’s status at www.wcpss.net and follow the “schools” OR go to www.dpi.state.nc.us and select the NC School Report Cards section.
Q: How does a school district enter into Title I District Improvement?
A: In North Carolina, a district enters Title I District Improvement by not meeting target goals in the same subject (reading or mathematics) in each of three grade spans (3-5, 6-8, and high school) for two years in a row. The Wake County Public School System did not meet their AYP goals at the district level in reading for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 in each of the grade spans.
Q: What should a parent do?
A: No action is required on your part, this letter is simply to inform you of the district’s status. This notification is required under No Child Left Behind.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: You may volunteer to participate in the revision of the school district plan.
Q: What is the district doing to address these issues?
A: The district is required to revise its Title I District Plan. The plan describes what the school district will do to help low achieving students to meet high academic standards. The Title I District Plan will focus on the professional development needs of instructional staff.
-wcpss-
November 19 , 2007