The Georgia Department of Education on Nov. 2 released its Adequate Yearly Progress report for public schools under the mandate of the federal No Child Left Behind act
AYP is measured based on state assessment tests. For the most part, Fulton County Schools in Sandy Springs met all of their goals. In Sandy Springs, Lake Forest Elementary, Ridgeview Charter School and Sandy Springs Charter Middle School did not make AYP, according to state reports.
Lake Forest Elementary Principal Dara Wilson said the school did not make AYP because of one category of students, students with disabilities, was unable to make sufficient progress in reading. Of the 48 students with disabilities, all but two are Hispanic and English is their second language, which compounds the issue, Wilson said. She said every other subgroup made AYP.
“It has been a challenge for us, making sure we have the best research-based practices,” she said. “It adds an additional variable and one that we’re certainly focusing on.”
She said as part of the school’s efforts, it has established a before-school tutoring program to help these students.
Fulton County Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa praised the progress of schools that made AYP.
“Each year, the testing targets for Adequate Yearly Progress increase and become more challenging for all schools to meet,” Avossa said. “It’s exceptional that so many of our schools continue to meet these goals, but we will keep providing the instructional support needed so that every school will reach its AYP targets.”
____________________________________________
Fulton County, Sandy Springs
Name: Did school meet AYP?
Dunwoody Springs Charter School Yes
Heards Ferry Elementary School Yes
High Point Elementary School Yes
Lake Forest Elementary School No
North Springs High School Yes
Ridgeview Charter School No
Riverwood Intl. Charter School Yes
Sandy Springs Charter Middle No
Ison Springs Elementary Yes
Spalding Drive Charter Elementary Yes
Woodland Charter Elementary Yes
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Education
