Student Scores Improve in 2012
District Celebrates Continuous Improvement  

We are pleased to report all schools achieved the state and federal benchmark for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the previous school year. Test scores reveal more students are meeting and exceeding rigorous standards in Mathematics and Reading with marked improvement in Math scores.

2012 AYP Data: ALL Students  

Math Scores Increased 3.9%
96.6 percent of our students met or exceeded the standard compared to 92.7 percent in 2011.

Reading Scores Increased 1.4%
96.1 percent of our students met or exceeded the standard compared to 94.7 percent in 2011.   

Federal regulations under No Child Left Behind require all student groups to meet or exceed defined targets for math and reading on state assessments, or Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

What is AYP?

This is the last year Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) will be measured in Kansas. In July 2012, Kansas received a waiver for flexibility in meeting certain provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The waiver will change how Kansas schools are measured. More information will be available in the coming months from the Kansas State Department of Education.

Adequate Yearly Progress - The process for evaluating student performance in public schools, districts, and states in reaching the annual targets to ensure 100% of students score at the standard level or above by the year 2014. It is a requirement of No Child Left Behind federal law.

At what levels does AYP apply?

The Kansas evaluation and accountability system is specifically designed to measure a public school, a district, and the state's progress.  AYP is determined for every public elementary and secondary school, every district, and the State of Kansas.  AYP is calculated for non-public schools seeking Kansas accreditation.

What is included in AYP?

• State reading assessment results for students who enrolled by September 20;
• State math assessment results for students who enrolled by September 20;
• State assessment participation rates;
• Attendance rate (elementary and middle schools, and districts);
• Graduation rate (high schools and districts).

How does a school or district make AYP?

- All students and every student group must meet or exceed the annual performance targets in reading and math.
- 95% or more of students must participate in the assessments.
- Attendance rate must be 90 percent or higher or increase from previous year.
- Graduation rate must be 80 percent or higher or increase from previous year.

What are the performance levels on the Kansas Reading and Mathematics Assessments?

The five performance levels on the state assessments in Kansas are:  Exemplary, Exceeds Standard, Meets Standard, Approaches Standard and Academic Warning.

What are the annual measurable objectives (targets) that must be met?

The annual measurable objectives or targets refer to the percent of students scoring at Meets Standard (formerly proficient) or above on the state reading and mathematics assessments that a school, district, or state must meet each year to make AYP.

Which students are included in determining AYP?

All students are expected to take state assessments.  In determining the percent of students who are at Meets Standard or above on the state assessments, only those students who are enrolled by September 20 of that year are included.  The participation rate, however, is based on all students in the tested grades in the school or district during the testing window.

What are the disaggregated student groups?

Disaggregated student groups are defined as the following:

· All students are recognized as one group; this group is also called the aggregate group.

· Students that are economically disadvantaged, which include the free and reduced lunch students, are a disaggregated group.

· Students with disabilities- this does not include students with section 504 plans or identified as gifted- are a disaggregated group.

· English Language Learners (ELL) students are a disaggregated group.

· Racial/ethnic disaggregated group are:

o   African American

o   American Indian or Alaskan Native

o   Asian

o   Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

o   Hispanic

o   White

o   Multi-Racial

What Student Groups do we have in USD 232?

*To have a student group, you must have at least 30 students in all assessed grade levels.

• All students
• African American students
• Hispanic students
• Multi-Racial students
• Free and reduced meal students
• English Language Learners (ELL)
• Students with Disabilities (SPED)
• White students
• Asian students

Terms Every Parent Needs to Know

Title I - This is the part of No Child Left Behind that supports programs in schools and school districts to improve the learning of children from low-income families. The U.S. Department of Education provides Title I funds to states to give to school districts based on the number of children from low-income families in each district.

State Assessments - This refers to the tests developed by our state that students will take every year in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school. Using these tests, the state will be able to compare schools to each other and know which ones need extra help to improve.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) - This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to explain that your child's school has met state reading and math goals. Your school district's report card will let you know whether or not your child's school has made AYP.

School in Need of Improvement revise- This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to schools receiving Title I funds that have not met state reading and math goals (AYP) for at least two years. If your child's school is labeled a "school in need of improvement," it receives extra help to improve and your child has the option to transfer to another public school, including a public charter school. Also, your child may be eligible to receive free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.

Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) - This is the term No Child Left Behind uses for a teacher who proves that he or she knows the subjects he or she is teaching, has a college degree, and is state-certified. No Child Left Behind requires that all students be taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher in core academic subjects.