The head of the Iowa Department of Education says the latest list of schools and districts "in need of assistance" shows the need to revamp the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law."No Child Left Behind has outlived its usefulness as a lever for improving student achievement in our country," Director Brad Buck said. "We need some different solutions. In Iowa, we embrace high expectations and accountability, but we must have an approach that dignifies growth and progress as much as proficiency on a test."
The Iowa Department of Education this week released the results from the 2013-2014 testing.
This year, 100% of students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 had to be proficient in reading and math to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP). That requirement even covers subgroups including socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, and special education.
"We know that school districts are working hard and are focused on the right work to raise student achievement," Buck said.
Schools or districts are in need of assistance if they do not meet AYP standards for two years in a row.
More than 54% of Iowa's public schools are now considered to be in need of assistance, which is an increase of seven percentage points compared to last year.
The number of districts in need of assistance is also up from 11.8% last year to 13% this year. That list includes the Keokuk and Burlington School Districts.
Buck said Iowa must continue to follow the components of NCLB because it has yet to obtain a waiver from the key components.
“I continue to fully support Congressional reauthorization, which is long overdue, as well as a significant overhaul of this law,” Buck said. "We want a rigorous system that both acknowledges growth and holds schools and districts accountable without labeling schools that fall short of proficiency targets as failures.”
The 2014 State Report Card is available for public review.
Des Moines County Schools in Need of Assistance (2+ Years of Missing AYP)
Burlington
- Aldo Leopold Middle School - Math
- Blackhawk Elementary - Math / Reading
- High School - Math / Reading
- Corse Elementary - Math / Reading
- Edward Stone Middle School - Math / Reading
- Grimes Elementary - Math / Reading
- Sunnyside Elementary - Math
Danville
- Elementary School - Reading
- Junior High/High School - Reading
Mediapolis
- Middle School - Reading
West Burlington
- Elementary School - Reading
Schools on Watch List (1 Year of Missing AYP)
Burlington
- North Hill Elementary - Math
Mediapolis
- Elementary School - Math
West Burlington
- Elementary School - Math
Lee County Schools in Need of Assistance (2+ Years of Missing AYP)
Central Lee
- Middle School - Reading
Fort Madison
- High School - Reading
- Middle School - Math / Reading
- Richardson Elementary - Math / Reading
Keokuk
- High School - Math / Reading
- Middle School - Math
Schools on Watch List (1 Year of Missing AYP)
Central Lee
- High School - Math / Reading
- Middle School - Math
Fort Madison
- Lincoln Elementary - Math / Reading
Keokuk
- George Washington Elementary - Math / Reading
- Hawthorne Elementary - Math / Reading
Van Buren County Schools in Need of Assistance (2+ Years of Missing AYP)
Harmony
- Elementary School - Reading
- Junior High/High School - Reading
