NECAP and AYP

This past week, I received, anonymously, a copy of an article appearing in the Manchester Union Leader some time ago indicating that the Ellis School was among the failing schools in the State. One needs to be careful how you read into headlines; they are meant to sell newpapers! While the Ellis School did join the list of schools that are schools in need of improvement, they join some 183 other schools on that list. If you look closely at the data, we in fact do continue to have more students in many areas reach the level of proficient and over time, grades 3 through grade 8, we can track continued growth. The fact is, as outlined in NCLB, it becomes more and more difficult to make AYP, Adequate Yearly Process, because the "bar" is raised annually, requiring all schools to demonstrate higher levels of proficiency. A clear indicator of the Ellis School's success is seen when we realize that this is only the the second year that AYP was not made, something that most schools in the State have been unable to avoid.

I would be glad to meet with anyone interested to discuss NECAP testing and AYP in more detail. Please feel free to contact me.

While we will use all data possible to continue to improve the achievement level of the students and will never to satisfied with the status quo, the Ellis School is by no means failing!