Although a No Child Left Behind report released Wednesday cited Norwalk as a school district "in need of improvement," Superintendent Susan Marks said this year's results are "somewhat encouraging."
Cranbury Elementary School and Roton Middle School were taken off the in need of improvement list because both made Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, two years in a row. Fox Run Elementary, Tracey Elementary, Nathan Hale Middle School and West Rocks Middle School made AYP this year and have been put on the "safe harbor" list. If they make AYP again next year, they'll be removed off the list.
However, Rowayton School was designated as a school in need of improvement for the first time because of subgroup test scores. Norwalk High and Brien McMahon have been on the needs improvement list for the past five years and Briggs for the past seven.
Since the No Child Left Behind act was passed in 2001, the government has been using scores from grade 3-8 Connecticut Mastery Tests and the grade 10 Connecticut Academic Performance Test to assess whether schools have made adequate yearly progress. This year, 80 percent of student had to be proficient to pass muster. The standard must be met by the whole school and by each subgroup--low-income, minority and special needs-- of 40 or more students. If a school or subgroup does not achieve AYP for two consecutive years, the school is identified as in need of improvement.
According to a report issued by the state Department of Education, Norwalk's designation as a district in need of improvement is due to inadequate subgroup math and reading achievement.
"I am going to meet with the principals regularly, and I'll be deploying resources from Central Office to focus to make sure we are consistent in math and reading across elementary, middle and high school," Marks said.
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