September 20, 2006

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Etowah County Schools:

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires that schools and school systems meet specific academic goals in reading and math each year as measured by the state assessment program.  School and district performance toward meeting those goals is called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  To make AYP, systems must meet assessment participation and performance targets in reading and math for all applicable subgroups of children in the district (race/ethnicity, low income, special needs, etc.).

Beginning in 2004, a school system that did not meet AYP in the same content area (reading or math) for two consecutive years was designated as “in need of improvement” and was required to write a plan to address those areas.  Last year, the Etowah County School system was indeed designated as “in need of improvement” because we had failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress in reading in the special needs sub-group.  However, the 2006 assessment results indicated that our school system made significant improvement; therefore, our school system’s accountability status was revised to School Improvement - Year One (delay).

We are extremely pleased with the progress that our schools made last year.  We are anticipating even better results on the 2007 assessments.

You, as parents, can assist in helping our students meet achievement goals by:

  • Providing a place in your home where your child can focus on work assignments to be completed at home.
  • Continuing to encourage your child to do well in school and making sure he or she understands your high expectations.
  • Making sure your child attends school regularly.
  • Talking with your child’s teacher on a regular basis to learn ways you can continue to support your child’s academic progress.
  • Communicating with your school system’s Central Office staff and your child’s school about the plans that have been developed to help students make AYP in reading and mathematics.
  • Becoming more involved in the everyday events of your child’s school by staying in contact with other parents and the parent-teacher-student organization.
  • Learning more about the NCLB requirements and becoming aware of strategies to improve student academic achievement. Information and resources are available at the following Web sites:

You are encouraged to contact Barry Bottoms (549-7565) or Becky Miller (549-7569) for further information about any of these requirements and to find out how you can become involved in these efforts.

Sincerely,


Michael A. Bailey
Superintendent