Mixed Results: ABC and AYP Scores

In a previous post I talked about the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) scores for the Iredell-Statesville Schools. As was reported in that post, only 54.3% of the I-SS schools met the AYP standards for the 2009–10 school year which was a drop of 25.7% from the 2008–09 school year when 80.0% of the I-SS schools met the AYP standards.

The ABC scores for the 2009–10 school year have also been published. According to a recent article in the Statesville Record & Landmark, I-SS's performance composite for the 2009-10 school year increased by 2.1% (from 78.6% in 2008-09 to 80.7%) over the previous year.

You may use the link below to access the Record and Landmark on-line article regarding the ABC scores.

Record & Landmark ABC Scores Article

This 2.1% gain in the ABC scores is small compared to the 25.7% decrease in the AYP scores. Of course I-SS is making a big deal out of the increase in ABC scores and downplaying the drop in the AYP scores. The Record & Landmark quotes Superintendent Johnson as saying “The trend is going in the right direction," and continues that Johnson said the growth is inspiring and a "morale booster" during difficult days for the district. In its article on the I-SS End-of Year Review Session the Record & Landmark reported that Chairman David Cash said that the district did well in its overall performance.

You may use the link below to access the Record and Landmark on-line article about the I-SS End-of Year Review Session.

I-SS End of Year Review Session

I congratulate I-SS on its increase in the ABC scores. However, I-SS needs to carefully examine both the ABC scores and the AYP scores to see why there is only a small gain in the ABC scores and why there is such a significant decrease in the AYP scores. I-SS continues to extol the current I-SS Model without any real proof its efficacy. When dealing with over 20,000 students anecdotal evidence is not sufficient to justify a particular approach to the education of those students.

You may click on the image below to see the 2009-10 ABC scores for I-SS.

I-SS AYP Comparisons

As was recently reported in the Statesville Record & Landmark, the NC Department of Public Instruction has released the preliminary 2009-10 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores. For the 09-10 school year, 19 of 35 (54.3%) of the I-SS schools met the AYP standards. This is quite a drop from the 08-09 school year when 28 of 35 (80.0%) of the I-SS schools met the AYP standards.

For more information you can read the Record & Landmark on-line article following the first link below or check out the AYP information on the I-SS web site using the second link below.

Record & Landmark AYP article

I-SS web site AYP information

Below is a comparison of the I-SS scores for the last two school years.
(Click on an image to enlarge it.)

Although the AYP scores are not the only indication of the quality of a given school it is an important measure that must be taken seriously when evaluating schools. There are many factors that determine the success of a school and the I-SS administration must examine these factors and find a true path to success.

Perhaps I-SS should take a close look at the Mooresville Graded School district, which had 6 out of 8 (75.0%) of their schools meet the AYP standards. The Mooresville Graded School district has made a concentrated effort to integrate technology in all classrooms and to get computers into the hands of all students. I think that it is time for I-SS to move away from the current I-SS model (aka Baldrige) and move students into the twenty-first century.