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Schools miss NCLB goals
(Published August 9, 2004)

Almost half of all D.C. public schools have been classified as being "in need of improvement" under requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, school officials announced Aug. 2.

"While we have made some progress, particularly in the elementary grades, to keep up with NCLB targets, we are going to have to do much better," Interim Superintendent Robert C. Rice said.

The classification, based on students’ spring 2004 test scores in math and reading that did not meet federal targets for "adequate yearly progress," means that parents of students enrolled in the under-performing schools may elect to move their children to higher-performing schools or seek tutorial assistance. For low-income families, the school system may be required to pay for tutoring.

NCLB requires schools to meet or exceed steadily increasing academic achievement targets, with the intent of attaining 100 percent proficiency in math and reading among students by 2014.

Despite missing federal targets, school officials noted that D.C. students’ test scores this spring actually showed improvement over 2003.

"The perception is that we have no schools that are doing well, but the scores went up," said William Caritj, assistant superintendent for accountability and assessment. "The [federal] standard that’s being applied has changed."

The percentage of elementary school students who scored at or above the "proficient" level in math rose from 53.6 percent in 2003 to 55.3 percent in 2004. In reading, the percentage climbed from 44 percent in 2003 to 45.7 percent in 2004.

Secondary school changes were less pronounced. The percentage of secondary students who scored "proficient" or "advanced" in reading increased slightly from 29.2 percent to 29.9 percent. In mathematics, the percentage of secondary students performing at a proficient level or higher declined slightly from 36.3 percent in 2003 to 36 percent.

"Many of the schools that did not make [adequate yearly progress], overall, are high-performing schools," Caritj said. "At the secondary level in reading, 13 schools did not make [adequate yearly progress] only because one subgroup did not reach the NCLB target."

Stuart-Hobson Middle School, Hine Junior High, Jefferson Junior High and Wilson Senior High – widely considered to be among the District’s best public schools – are among the schools classified "in need of improvement" for failing to meet federal targets for two consecutive years.

School officials said they will mail informational packets this week to parents or guardians of children enrolled in the under-performing schools to explain school choice options and available supplemental services. In addition, principals at each of the schools will hold meetings during the week of Aug. 9 to explain available options to parents.

From Aug.9-21, students enrolled in these schools may apply for enrollment in a different school. School officials are required to give priority for transfers to students identified as lowest-performing and low-income.

A listing of the D.C. public schools "in need of improvement" and more information about options for students enrolled in those schools are available online at http://silicon.k12.dc.us/NCLB.