Local schools above state average

Marisa O’Neil

The final results are in, and the school district has passed.

Adequate Yearly Progress Phase III reports came out Thursday,

showing that the district as a whole met its performance targets --

beating out the state. After adjusted data and appeals, Newport-Mesa

had 11 schools that did not meet state or federal goals.

The reports encompass the Academic Performance Index scores that

came out last summer, high school graduation rates and the Annual

Measurable Objective, which is a part of the federal No Child Left

Behind Act.

The district received an API score of 737, above the statewide

score of 686 on a scale of 200 to 1,000.

Three schools -- Whittier, Wilson and Pomona elementary schools --

are still Program Improvement schools under No Child Left Behind

because they did not meet targets two years in a row. That means they

must send out letters to parents informing them of their status,

offer them the option to place their children in other schools, and

provide additional staff development.

To pass the Adequate Yearly Progress report, a school must pass,

or get a “yes” in every category. Categories include student

participation in standardized tests and whether the minimum number of

students at the school tested at proficient levels in math and

English language arts.

Students in each significant subgroup, such as Latino or

socio-economically disadvantaged students, must also each meet the

government’s goals.

Adams, Kaiser, Killybrooke, Paularino, Whittier and Wilson

elementary schools did not meet the English proficiency levels.

Kaiser Elementary and TeWinkle Middle School did not meet math

proficiency.

Paularino Elementary and Estancia High School did not meet minimum

participation rates.

Appeals to the state pulled Victoria Elementary off the list of

schools that did not pass, said Peggy Anatol, director of curriculum

and assessment for the district. Because of a computer glitch,

participation rates had been misreported. The latest report reflects

that their appeal was approved.

Costa Mesa and Newport Harbor high schools also had appeals

approved.

Schools that did not pass will be placed on a watch list under No

Child Left Behind for next year if they receive Title I funds. If

they get a “no” in the same category two years running, they will be

listed as Program Improvement schools.