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H <br />100 - percent success in reaching all accountability targets is much more than <br />"Adequate Yearly Progress," as called for under No Child Let Behind. That <br />achievement level is more indicative of "Absolute Yearly Progress," and we <br />believe this expectation in the law sets the majority of our public schools up for <br />failure on this national barometer of achievement. <br />This point is emphasized by the AYP performance results for North <br />Carolina schools in the 2002 -2003 school year. The North Carolina Department <br />of Public Instruction reports that 356 schools failed to make AYP by missing only <br />TWO targets, and 286 schools failed to make AYP by missing only ONE target or <br />subgroup's achievement rate. In fact, some schools failed to make AYP because <br />five or fewer students scored below the required level on the AYP reading or <br />math test. <br />We believe these reports show that the implementation of Adequate <br />Yearly Progress in reality is asking our schools to achieve Absolute Yearly <br />Progress, and we ask for, modifications to address this issue. <br />ISSUE: NCLB's "all or nothing" accountability model penalizes schools and <br />school systems by labeling those that miss only one target the same as those <br />that rniss multiple targets. <br />RECOMMENDATION: "Achievement Levels" of Adequate Yearly Progress <br />should be established to distinguish between schools that miss one or two <br />targets and those that miss all or multiple targets. In connection with these <br />proposed "Achievement Levels," only the schools missing numerous subgroup <br />targets should face sanctions under No Child Left Behind. <br />The issue above outlining our concern on NCLB's "all or nothing" <br />approach is exacerbated by constant changes in school populations across North <br />Carolina. An individual school's subgroups that are included in the Adequate <br />Yearly Progress computation may vary from year to year, as students move from <br />school to school or from one district to another, particularly in high - growth areas <br />of our state. As a result, a school or school system can miss its Adequate Yearly <br />Progress target simply because a new subgroup was added that year. We <br />reiterate that "all or nothing" is an unrealistic expectation for our public schools, <br />and we ask for modifications to ensure that all schools and school systems have <br />a fair chance to succeed. <br />ISSUE: NCLB's "all or nothing" accountability model penalizes schools and <br />school systems that have the most diverse and fastest - growing student <br />,population, since it requires them to reach more targets to succeed. <br />RECOMMENDATION: A subgroup's test results should be reported every year, <br />but in order to be included in determining Adequate Yearly Progress, the <br />subgroup should exist at a school for two consecutive years. <br />3 <br />