Mixed News for Schools in AYP Report

There was good and not-so-good news regarding Lilburn-area schools in Adequate Yearly Progress reports released by the Georgia Department of Education Thursday.

First the good: and were among the four Gwinnett County Public Schools that made AYP in 2010-11 after not making the standard last year. Seven other Lilburn-area schools — , , , , , and elementary schools — all achieved AYP standards again.

Now, the not-so-good: and are among the four county schools that will face consequences for not meeting state standards for the second year in a row.

Overall, 102 out of Gwinnett County's 127 public schools met the state’s accountability goals for the 2010-2011 school year.

Adequate Yearly Progress requires schools to meet standards in three areas. They are Test Participation (for both Mathematics and Reading/English Language Arts), Academic Performance (for both Mathematics and Reading/English Language Arts), and a Second Indicator. 

In Lilburn, along with Hopkins and Berkmar, and also missed making AYP standards, according to Department of Education data.

Lilburn Middle missed AYP in Mathematics for students with disabilities and English language learners, and Reading/Language Arts for students with disabilities.

Parkview High missed the AYP mark in English/Language Arts for students with disabilities.

Berkmar High missed in Graduation Rate for all students, and English/Language Arts for Hispanics and economically disadvantaged students.

Hopkins Elementary missed AYP in Mathematics for African-American and English language learners and Reading/Language Arts for students with disabilities.

Hopkins is now designated with a “Needs Improvement Year 1” status. As a result, Hopkins will offer the option of Public School Choice to their students, allowing them to transfer to either Alford or McKendree elementary school.

Berkmar, which is in the third year of “Needs Improvement,” will continue to offer Public School Choice and Supplemental Education Services. Students can ask to transfer to either Archer or Mountain View high school.

Parents at Hopkins and Berkmar High will receive information in a mailing outlining how they may switch their student to another school. They will also be notified about dates for AYP information sessions at their school to learn about their options before transferring their child.

The deadline for choice transfers will be Friday, Aug. 5.

In a release, Gwinnett Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said, “We realize that the standards for making AYP continue to increase and as a district we are committed to raising student achievement and meeting those standards. While we are pleased that the vast majority of our schools made AYP, we cannot overlook the fact that we did see an increase in schools not meeting the state’s standard. Specifically, we need to look at achievement at the middle and high school levels, focusing on increasing achievement for individual students and subgroups of students who are struggling to meet the higher standards.”