Local schools receive state standards recognition

A number of local schools and school districts have been honored on the state Department of Education’s annual list of “High Performance/Gap Closing” and “Rapidly Improving” schools.

“High Performing/Gap Closing” schools and districts have met all applicable state standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and math for the 2006-07 school year under the No Child Left Behind Act. These schools and districts have also shown the standard for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in ELA and math for two consecutive years.

“Rapidly Improving” schools and districts were below the state standards in one or more subjects but have shown improvement. They also have made AYP in the 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years.

Local schools and districts recognized as “High Performing/Gap Closing” schools include:

n Cassadaga Elementary School

n Sinclairville Elementary School

n Fredonia Central School District

n Fredonia Elementary School

n Gowanda Elementary School

n Gowanda High School

n Panama Central School District

n Panama K-6

n Pine Valley Elementary School

n Silver Creek Central School District

n Silver Creek Elementary School

Local schools and districts recognized as “Rapidly Improving” schools include:

n Cassadaga Central School District

n Cassadaga High School

n Dunkirk School No. 3

n Dunkirk School No. 4

n Dunkirk School No. 7

n Pine Valley Central School District

n Pine Valley Jr./Sr. High School

n Ripley Central School District

n Ripley Central School.

According to the Department of Education, a total of 1,759 public schools, 19 charter schools and 288 public school districts were recognized as “High Performing/Gap Closing,” while 373 public schools, 10 charter schools and 62 school districts were recognized as “Rapidly Improving.”

Statewide, the number of “High Performing/Gap Closing” schools increased by more than 100 over the 2005-06 school year, and the number of “Rapidly Improving” schools increased by more than 150. The number of “rapidly improving” districts more than doubled. According to the Department of Education, these gains are particularly significant because the state standard increased by five points, from 150 to 155, for 3-8 ELA and math and from 160 to 165 for high school ELA and math for the 2006-07 school year.

“It is encouraging that half of New York’s eligible schools have shown the kind of progress needed for them to be recognized,” State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. “The Regents will continue to take aggressive action to ensure that every student in every school has a chance to succeed.”

Only schools and districts that have a minimum of 30 continuously enrolled students in at least three accountability groups (the “all student” group plus at least two from among the five racial/ethnic groups and the low-income, limited English proficient, or students with disabilities groups) are eligible for recognition on the annual list.

A full list of recognized schools and districts is available online at www.nysed.gov.



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