AYP drops in Onslow, Carteret

The number of Onslow County Schools that met Adequate Yearly Progress goals has declined overall in comparison to last year's numbers. However, the standards have gotten higher.

Due to No Child Left Behind requirements, target proficiency goals increase every three years until 2013-14 when students will have to be 100 percent proficient in reading and math. The percentage of students who need to meet the 2007-08 AYP goals increased by 8 percent.

Twelve of 33 Onslow County schools, or 36.4 percent, met those numbers, according to preliminary numbers released by the district. That's a decline from 44 percent in 2006-07.

Silverdale Elementary School received the lowest score in Onslow County, meeting nine of 13 target goals, or 69.2 percent. Swansboro Elementary School was not far behind with 70 percent, or seven of 10 target goals.

However, Clyde Erwin Elementary School, which was granted magnet school status earlier this year, improved by almost 30 percent. Clyde Erwin met 11 out of 12 goals, or 91.7 percent, compared to last year's 61.5 percent.

All Onslow County's elementary schools, except Parkwood and Carolina Forest elementaries, are now considered Title 1 Schools for Improvement, Testing and Accountability Officer Lisa Thompson said. Parents of students at the Title 1 schools will have the option of transferring their children to a school designated by the district.

Four of Onslow County's seven high schools did not make AYP goals.

Jacksonville High School met 16 of 17 target goals, or 94.1 percent, and did not make AYP. Northside High School met 14 of 17 target goals, or 82.4 percent. Southwest High School met 16 of their 17 target goals, or 94.1 percent. Swansboro High School met 16 of 22 target goals, or 92.3 percent. Richlands, Dixon and White Oak high schools all met 100 percent of their goals

"Many of our schools missed making AYP by one or two goals," Thompson said in a written response to The Daily News, explaining that the district met 456 of 492 goals, or 92.7 percent. "While some schools did not make AYP, it does not mean the entire school is failing. We will be working as a system of schools to identify best practices that benefit all students.

"Our goal continues to be for all schools to achieve AYP each year."

It can take only one subgroup, one student or one score to keep a school from AYP, she said. If a student fits multiple subgroups, the scores count for each subgroup.

For 2007-08, the state proficiency target goals for students in grades three through eight were 77.2 percent in math and 84.4 percent in reading. For students in grade 10, the target goals were 38.5 percent for reading and 68.4 percent in math.

Schools must test at least 95 percent of the student population in each group, according to the N.C. Public Schools Web site. Groups include the school as a whole as well as subgroups based on ethnicity, economical disadvantages, limited English proficiency and students with disabilities.

For elementary and middle schools to make AYP, each student group in the tested grades must meet:

n 95 percent participation rate in end-of-grade reading and math or alternate assessments

n Proficiency or above in end-of grade reading and math or alternate assessments

The school must also show progress in attendance for schools in grades three to eight, according to the Web site.

For high schools to make AYP, each student group must meet:

n 95 percent participation rate on the English I, Grade 10 writing and Algebra I or alternate assessments

n Proficiency or above on the English I, Grade 10 writing and Algebra I or alternative assessments

High schools must also show progress on the graduation rate, according to the Web site.

Onslow County Schools is working to improve its scores.

"Each school is responsible for developing a School Strategic Plan to address needed improvements within their school," Thompson said. "In addition, schools within their attendance area will share data and particular strategies, which would be beneficial to the entire district."

To view results statewide, visit www.ncpublicschools.org. For Onslow County's report, go to www.onslow.k12.nc.us.

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at ahickey@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8463. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.