Challenges with AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
By Mr. Wagoner
Adequate Yearly Progress is a challenge for all schools in Kansas. This accountability process is our states response to “No Child Left Behind” or NCLB. NCLB is the federal “Elementary and Secondary Education Act or law. In order to receive federal funds for education our state has had to develop a plan for our schools to meet the requirements of the federal law. This state plan has the accountability feature that requires all schools to meet targets in several areas. These targets are set on Kansas Assessment scores in both Math and Reading. Other targets are set on Attendance of students, Teacher Qualifications, Graduation Rate, Test Participation or the number of students that we have take the test. If any school does not meet these targets then they are identified as being “On Improvement” and in danger of not being accredited. Finally, by 2014 100% of our students are to be at or above the target levels on the assessments. For obvious reasons, this system will identify every school in the state of Kansas as being on Improvement especially those schools with a high percentage of at-risk students. Therefore, the more students that a district takes in that are at-risk the more likely it will experience difficulties making AYP. Ironically this situation discourages any district from helping at-risk students. If this seems to be a problem it is suggested that you contact your legislator to see if they can refine the law to make more sense.
