THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS RELEASING STATEWIDE TESTING DATA…BUT SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING AT NEW WAYS TO BETTER MEASURE STUDENT PROGRESS.

BOARD CHAIRMAN GERY CHICO SAYS 66 PERCENT OF SCHOOLS FAILED TO MEET ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS THIS YEAR UNDER THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT. THAT’S A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER 2011. BUT CHICO SAYS THE BENCHMARKS SET UNDER THE ACT DON’T ACCURATELY REFLECT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PROGRESS.

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STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO MEET CERTAIN ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS BENCHMARKS EACH YEAR UNDER THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT. STATE SUPERINTENDENT CHRISTOPHER KOCH SAYS THESE MEASUREMENTS DON’T REFLECT INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

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KOCH SAYS THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR A WAIVER FROM NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND…AND THAT NEW ASSESSMENT METHODS WON'T JUST RELY ON A FEW DAYS OF TESTING.