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Contact: Ric Dressen |
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Media Release |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Edina Public Schools strives to make AYP in 2009-2010 Edina, Minn., August 10, 2009 – Despite some notable progress, Edina Public Schools (EPS) recently learned it did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), a federal measure mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. “Overall, Edina’s scores are impressive, and we did see gains as a District and with several of our subgroup student populations,” said Superintendent Ric Dressen. “Still, we did not hit the bar according to federal guidelines. This is a challenge our District will address.” AYP requires all student subgroups to reach achievement benchmarks. Students receiving special education services and students eligible for free or reduced price school lunches are two examples of the subgroups measured. In order to meet AYP, schools and districts must reach achievement proficiency and participation targets as well as targets for attendance and for graduation at the high-school level. These achievement benchmarks are measured separately for all students in a school or district and for each of eight subgroups of students. Two Edina schools failed to meet the AYP targets. Edina High School did not meet the mathematics proficiency target for the black students subgroup. South View Middle School did not meet the reading and mathematics proficiency targets for the students eligible for free or reduced price school lunches subgroup. For the second consecutive year, the Edina District failed to meet the AYP reading proficiency target for students eligible for free or reduced price school lunches. As a result, federal law requires the Minnesota Department of Education to designate EPS as in need of improvement. Moving forward, the District is shifting to a new learning model that emphasizes personalized learning. This fall, Edina teachers will put into action a personalized learning initiative – an approach to learning designed to meet the unique needs of each learner. To further address the challenge of AYP, a District Improvement team is reviewing curriculum and analyzing all available assessment information to pinpoint strengths and challenges. Knowledge gained by this team will be shared in professional development training. Additionally, South View and the high school will focus on local planning and instruction that better meets the needs of all students through a School Improvement Planning process. “I am confident that, through a team effort of staff, parents, students and community members, we be successful in making the necessary progress in the upcoming school year,” said Dressen. More information about Edina test performance can be found here About Edina Public Schools: ###  |
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