What are the two accountability systems schools are rated on?
AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and Arizona Learns
What is the criteria for the AYP label?
- AIMS test scores for 7th and 8th graders are taken into consideration.
- Only students enrolled during the first two weeks of school and continuously enrolled are included in the percent passed calculation
- All students enrolled at the time of testing are included in the percent tested calculation
- Subgroups must have 40 students to be included in the accountability (A subgroup includes students in different socio-economic and ethnic groupings)
- The percent passing targets stay the same as last year
- Every subgroup must meet or exceed the target percentage passing
- 95% of every subgroup enrolled during the week of testing must be tested
- Ghost testers: Students who took the test with non-standard accommodations don’t count as having been tested
- Attendance for the year must be 90% or better
Did Fremont make AYP?
No.
Why?
Fremont has a large Learning Disabled population. These students receive non-standard accommodations. When taking tests, these students need special help in order for them to have the opportunity to display their abilities appropriately. For example, if they have difficulties with reading, they may need to have the test read to them. This would be considered a non-standard accommodation. When a student receives a non-standard accommodation, however, they are considered a ghost tester or essentially absent. The ghost testers affected our attendance in our subgroups. It is a noticeable glitch in the testing system. Our students will continue to receive their non-standard accommodations because that is what is good for kids, and we will hope the state will improve their testing strategies.
What does this mean for Fremont?
Fremont is in the warning year. We will need to develop a school improvement plan. This is a good thing to do anyway, and in fact, many pieces of the plan are already in place.
What is the other form of accountability?
Arizona Learns Label
What is Fremont’s Arizona Learns Label?
Congratulations to Fremont Junior High! On October 25, 2006, Fremont earned the highest label of "Excelling" according to Arizona Learns! This is an incredible achievement, and something that students, parents, and teachers should be equally proud of.
What is the criteria for Arizona Learns?
- Once again criteria is based on 7th and 8th grade AIMS scores
- Overall percent passing scores
- Improvement as a school and grades: Increasing the percent passing and decreasing the falling far below
- Individual growth from one year to the next
What are the different labels?
Excelling, Highly Performing, Performing Plus, Performing, Underperforming
What were we labeled for the 2005-2006 school year?
Highly Performing
