What’s churning:
The number of Colorado schools making the federal benchmark of Adequate Yearly Progress grew in 2010 – up two percentage points, from 60 percent in 2009 to 62 percent in 2010.
Five schools showed substantial academic progress and moved off the School Improvement watch list, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The five are North Elementary School in Brighton, Centennial High School in the Centennial School District, Wyatt-Edison Charter in Denver, Highland Elementary School in the Garfield RE-2 District and Adventure Elementary in Mapleton.
Another 54 schools on School Improvement met their AYP goals this year, meaning they’re off the watch list if they can repeat that feat in 2011. By comparison, only 17 schools on School Improvement in 2009 reached their AYP targets for the first time. Schools get placed on improvement status if they receive federal Title 1 money, aimed at leveling the playing field for kids in poverty, but their scores do not make AYP targets in the same content area for two years running.
“The trend is upbeat and reflects extraordinary focus by principals and teachers at these schools,” Patrick Chapman, who oversees federal programs for CDE, said in a news release Wednesday.
See the full release, which lists the 54 schools and provides additional data about the status of schools missing AYP targets for two or more years. Across Colorado, 47 schools have missed their AYP targets for six years or more and must implement restructuring plans.
Also, 60 districts are in Corrective Action Status, meaning they’ve missed AYP targets for four or more years – the state is required to ensure the districts get technical help and delay or reduce funds until an approved Corrective Action plan is in place. You can see a list of school and district AYP results here .
What’s on tap:
Denver Public Schools’ board members meet tonight at 4 p.m. and then host their monthly public comment session at 5:30 p.m. It’s all in the usual location, 900 Grant St. The agenda includes a discussion about potential impacts of ballot measures 60, 61 and 101 as well as presentations from two charter school applicants who want to open schools in fall 2011.
One, the Denver High School for Accelerated Learning, would be located in northeast Denver and would primarily serve students at risk of dropping out or those who already have dropped out of traditional high schools. Its academic model would combine the Apex online learning curriculum with teacher support. If approved, the operators hope to open three more campuses in the next five years. Steve Dobo, a veteran in dropout recovery work in Colorado, is a consultant.
The second applicant, Independence High School, is targeting a similar population, listing its mission as: “To recapture drop-outs and help the disenfranchised to achieve their academic potential and recover their self-esteem by making education relevant – career and college possible.” The school would combine credit recovery with career and technology training and wants to locate in Far Northeast Denver. Pierre Jimenez, long active in school choice in the state, is a board member.
Also, Littleton’s school board meets tonight at 5:30 at 5776 South Crocker St. The agenda includes two topics under discussion in districts statewide this season – the state’s new District Performance Framework and the all-important Oct. 1 student count, which determines state funding.
Good reads from elsewhere:
- Staying the course: Presumptive D.C. mayor vows to continue Rhee’s reforms
- Trojan horse: L.A. lawsuit became vehicle for sidestepping union rules
- Expect more: N.J. program helps teachers raise expectations of kids
- Manifesto mauled: Boston union mad superintendent signed controversial op-ed