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From the Superintendent's Desk.... | |||||||||
In response to the Orting News article, "Orting Schools on Failure lists," dated August 16, we are providing the following clarification of the key issues. Each year, the state releases the initial lists of schools and districts that are "in improvement" at the start of the school year. This year, these lists were made public on Friday, Aug. 14. The federal government is requiring the reporting of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) two weeks prior to the start of the 2009-10 school year. The public can check on the current status of each school and district through the state's Report Card under the AYP tab: http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ayp.aspx. Schools that do not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for one year are noted as "not making AYP." Schools that do not make AYP for two consecutive years are in "school improvement." Some schools will make outstanding progress and still not make AYP. It is important to look beyond a label and recognize and applaud the good work going on in those schools. In November, final Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results for schools and districts will be posted to the state's Report Card under at the link above. Between the initial release date and the posting of the final results districts will have an opportunity to go through records reconciliation and to file appeals as appropriate. The Orting School District is in the midst of this process. The intent of the federal No Child Left Behind Act is to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their dreams and be productive and engaged citizens. The law requires that all students achieve state standards in reading and mathematics by 2014. This is a very ambitious goal with a tight timeline. The Orting School District is focused and committed to working toward this goal.
Finally the district wants to hear from you - not only about your concerns but also your ideas on how to make our schools better. School improvement must be a two-way conversation between those of us who work in the schools and those who live and work in our community. Please contact Superintendent Michelle Curry at 893-6500 and become involved in this important work. Michelle Curry
Superintendent "Learning Today for a Changing Tomorrow"
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