Final 2009-10 Adequate Yearly Progress Ratings Released for Oregon Schools

For immediate release
contact Susanne Smith, 503-947-5637

September 9, 2010

Final 2009-10 Adequate Yearly Progress Ratings Released for Oregon Schools

SALEM – State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo today released the final 2009-10 ratings for Oregon public schools under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) standards (formerly known as No Child Left Behind). Seventy-one percent of Oregon schools met the federal standard for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year.

A closer look at AYP—Oregon’s 2009-10 AYP reports show:

71.4% (892 of 1249 Oregon schools) met AYP standards, compared to 70.1% in 2008-09.

“As our nation moves forward with reauthorization of this federal standard, I will fight to ensure our focus is on recognizing individual student growth and providing the systems of support necessary to raise achievement,” Superintendent Susan Castillo said. “We must always remember that behind the data are students who need our help in preparing for their next steps in life. I am encouraged that the federal government has indicated a willingness to work with states on creating a better system of supports so that we have the tools we need at the state level to adequately help these lowest performing schools provide a better education for their students. There is great urgency around this work because we know our students can’t wait for someday. They need our help and leadership today.”

To meet AYP, public schools must also meet these annual performance targets for both the overall student population and for any demographic group within the school that includes 42 or more students. These groups include: socio-economic status, English proficiency, race/ethnicity, and special education.

Consequences for not making AYP (Title I schools)
One of the purposes of the AYP report is to identify schools needing improvement, especially those serving a high percentage of children in poverty and receiving targeted federal funds. This year, 76 schools have been placed on the “In Need of Improvement” list. Schools on this list have not met AYP for at least two consecutive years in the same subject area. Schools that accept federal Title I funds and do not make AYP are required to provide students with the opportunity to transfer to another school in the district. Title I schools that do not make AYP for a third consecutive year must provide students with supplemental services, such as tutoring or after-school assistance. Schools that do not meet AYP targets beyond three years are required to take additional corrective actions. To move out of school improvement status, schools must meet standards for two consecutive years in the area that placed them in school improvement. The first year schools in improvement meet standards they are placed in “hold” status and will exit pending meeting for that second year. This year, 29 of Oregon’s schools in improvement entered “hold” status, indicating progress toward moving out of improvement status. Eight schools successfully met standards for two consecutive years and moved out of improvement status. For more information regarding resources for schools in Title I school improvement status, including information on assistance and interventions, refer to the 2009-10 Title I-A School Improvement Resource Manual at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1942

For an FAQ on AYP and Schools in Improvement, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/superintendent/priorities/adequate-yearly-progress-faq.doc
To find AYP reports for a district or school, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/reportcard/reports.aspx
For the final list of 2010-11 Title I Schools in Improvement, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1942
For more information on AYP, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1193

#####
Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Susanne Smith, Communications Director, Telephone (503) 947-5637
http://www.ode.state.or.us

Oregon Department of Education News Releases contain information that was originally released to the press as an official release. Refer to each News Release for the details.