AYP Parent Letter Year 2

Dear Parents and Patrons,

Our school and school district are dedicated to providing all students with the educational foundation necessary to succeed in school and in life. To ensure your child’s success, we set high standards that are reflected in what is taught in our classrooms. However, under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed into law in 2002, specific criteria are measured so that the government can determine whether or not schools – particularly Title I funded schools – are making adequate yearly progress (AYP). Adequate yearly progress is a measure based on results on Nebraska’s standards based assessments.  

The goal for last three years was to have 81% of all students in grades 3-6 proficient on the reading standards and at least 95% of the students must have been assessed in reading. The math goals were: 83% for grades 3-6 and at least 95% of the students must have been assessed in math.  If a school does not meet these goals two years in a row, in the same grade level and same subject, they are identified as “In Need of Improvement.” A school can get out of School Improvement Status after all subgroups meet the AYP goals for two consecutive years.  

For the school years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 one sub-group in grades 3-6 at Conestoga Elementary did not meet the state goals in participation for reading.  However, based on state standards data from the 2008-09 school year, Conestoga Elementary met AYP requirements.  Even though Conestoga Elementary passed all state and federal requirements last school year with 90% or above on all subgroups for proficiency and 100% for participation, Conestoga Elementary will remain in School Improvement Status for one more school year.

Because of the status, the school must develop and implement a two-year plan to help all subgroups meet the goal. Last year, a committee including the elementary principal, curriculum director, and teachers developed and submitted a plan to the State Department of Education. The plan included strategies for Conestoga Elementary School to implement several changes intended to help raise student achievement. These included differentiating reading activities where students are placed in reading groups in their classroom based upon their reading strengths. Conestoga Elementary teachers are also using classroom assessment data to help focus their classroom instructional decisions.  It is the hope of the district that these changes, with others will help us to meet the goal again this year.

You, as a parent, are a very important part of the educational process. In addition to the assistance and nurturing you give to your child, you can participate in upgrading the quality of education within Conestoga Elementary. Your efforts will help your child’s school to make AYP. You may want to get involved by:
• Reviewing your child’s homework and test results;
• Supporting and reinforcing your child’s good study habits;
• Becoming a member of the parent teacher organization;
• Making sure your child is prepared and attends school each day;
• Coming to parent-teacher conferences.

You may contact Elementary Principal, Eric Dennis if you have any questions about the AYP status.

Educationally yours,

Eric Dennis
Conestoga Elementary Principal