Fifty-nine percent of Colorado’s school districts met federal reading and math standards during the 2004-05 year, a 4-percentage-point drop from last year’s report, according to the state Department of Education.
While districts may have shown growth across the board in reading and math, some districts may not have made adequate yearly progress, or AYP, because the performance targets increased this year.
The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires the Department of Education to determine whether school districts make adequate yearly progress in reading and math. AYP is an accountability measure for schools, with the goal of having students proficient in math and reading by 2014.
If performance targets had remained the same, the same number of districts would have made AYP as last year, according to the Department of Education.
Denver Public Schools did not meet AYP because the district met 77.7 percent of AYP requirements.
“We’re holding our own, so to speak, considering that school districts had to meet more individual targets and higher standards this year,” said DPS spokeswoman Tanya Caughey.
Jefferson County schools met 92 percent of the requirements but did not make AYP this year.
The Cherry Creek School District also did not make AYP but met 95 percent of the requirements.
Districts that do not meet AYP requirements are expected to use federal Title 1 funds to improve in areas that were deficient.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
