Dare Schools Meet 92% of Federal Testing Targets
Students at Dare County’s ten regular schools achieved 133 of 144 targets prescribed by the federal Adequate Yearly Progress standards, for a success rate of 92 percent. “Adequate Yearly Progress” is a term which originated with federal legislation known as “No Child Left Behind.” The federal legislation requires that 100 percent of students perform on or above grade level by 2013-2014. Until then, each state sets “targets” of proficiency by grade level and subject that progressively increase to 100 percent.
To determine AYP status, students are divided into subgroups, such as students living below the national poverty level, students for whom English is a Second Language, students with learning disabilities, and by ethnic groups. If a single subgroup does not achieve the targeted proficiency level, a school does not make AYP.
The percentage of schools in Dare County meeting 100 percent of their targets for every student subgroup was 60 percent, compared to an average of 34 percent statewide. The following schools in Dare County met 100 percent of their student subgroup targets:
- Cape Hatteras Elementary School met 13 of 13 targets
- First Flight Elementary School met 13 of 13 targets
- Kitty Hawk Elementary School met 11 of 11 targets
- Nags Head Elementary School met 13 of 13 targets
- Cape Hatteras Secondary School met 13 of 13 targets
- Manteo High School met 13 of 13 targets
“The 2010-2011 school year was one in which the required proficiency levels were adjusted upward significantly, in some cases jumping from 77.2 to 88.6 percent,” said Burgess. “Even the four schools that did not make 100 percent of their student subgroup targets had some impressive results. First Flight High School met 12 of 13 targets, First Flight Middle School and Manteo Middle School met 15 of 17, and Manteo Elementary School met 15 of 21.” Burgess explained that the student subgroups at the schools which did not meet the newly-imposed higher standards included students with learning disabilities, students living below the national poverty level, and students for whom English is a Second Language.
“We’re pleased that six of ten schools were able to achieve these extremely high standards,” said Burgess. “Plus, an overall pass rate of 92 percent of targets is a testament to the hard work of teachers, students, and administrators.