For Immediate Release

Barbour Schools County Receives NCLB Results

Barbour County Schools’ mission is to provide educational excellence with commitment to learning for all in preparation for the challenges of the 21^st century. We strive to prepare our children for tomorrow’s world and assure their ability to pursue a career or further their education.

Barbour County Schools also strives to keep our parents and community informed about important issues affecting our schools. Each August, all West Virginia school districts are notified by the West Virginia Department of Education of their Adequate Yearly Progress status in relation to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is a key part of NCLB, and AYP status is determined by the number of students meeting or exceeding state academic standards on tests in Reading and Mathematics as compared to state norms. Additionally, WESTEST participation, attendance, and graduation rates are included in the determination of AYP status.

The following schools made Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2010 – 2011 school year: Kasson Elementary/Middle and Mount Vernon Elementary. Belington Elementary, Junior Elementary, Philip Barbour High School, Philippi Elementary, Philippi Middle and Volga-Century Elementary did not make AYP due to the fact that each school had at least one subgroup that did not demonstrate adequate progress in Reading and/or Mathematics. Dr. Jorea Marple, West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools, stated the following, “No Child Left Behind requires that ALL students in the United States be proficient by 2014. To reach that goal, each year a greater number of students must reach or exceed the proficiency level on the WESTEST for a school to meet AYP. This year, an additional 16 percent of students had to get to the proficiency mark. The significant increase in the number of students required to meet proficiency in 2011 is not realistic to many in the educational community. Our goal is that students are ready to be successful whether they go to college or enter the workforce. What we value in West Virginia is CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT in and STUDENT ACADEMIC GROWTH.”

The federal law, No Child Left Behind, requires that schools that do not meet the state standards of AYP for two consecutive years are identified for “school improvement”.  Philippi Elementary School has not met the state standards for Adequate Yearly Progress in 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.  Belington Elementary School has not met the state standards for Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. As a result, parents of students that attend these schools have the right to request their children be transferred to schools making Adequate Yearly Progress.

Schools and school districts not making AYP are required to revise their five year strategic plans to address the areas targeted for improvement by working with school, district staff, parents, and community members. Barbour County Schools’ has begun the process of addressing the targeted areas for improvement.

For more information you can contact Jack Reger, Barbour County Schools, at 457-3030 or visit our website at www.wvschools.com/barbourcountyschools.