For the second consecutive year, the school system met 92 percent (34 of 37) of its federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) performance objectives.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, schools and school districts must meet 100 percent of their federal “proficiency” objectives each year to achieve AYP.  If just one student subgroup fails to meet one of the performance targets or percent tested targets, the school and/or the district does not achieve AYP.

Thirty-six (73%) Greenville County elementary schools met AYP in 2009-2010, an increase of four schools from 2008-2009 (65%).  Three middle schools met AYP, an increase of two schools.  Thirteen of the 28 elementary and middle schools not making AYP missed two or fewer performance targets, including 11 elementary and 2 middle schools that missed achieving AYP by only 1 performance objective.

No Greenville County high school met AYP.  Only thirteen out of 184 high schools across the State met all of the federal requirements for AYP. Three out of fourteen Greenville County high schools missed achieving AYP by only three objectives.

The more diverse a school or school district is in student population; the more challenging it is to achieve AYP.  Greenville County Schools serves more than 69,000 students, which comprise the following AYP subgroups: All Students, White, African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan, Limited English Proficiency, Disabled, and Subsidized Meals (students receiving free or reduced lunch).  As in 2009, Greenville County Schools remained one of only a few districts in the state accountable for the maximum number of objectives – 37.

Performance Indicators
The State’s Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) is used to assess elementary and middle school students’ achievement in grades three through eight.  The High School Assessment Program (HSAP) - first attempt, assesses high school students’ achievement in 10th grade.  Both the PASS and HSAP, along with other indicators are used to calculate the school district’s AYP performance.  Other indicators for school and district level performance include a 94.0% attendance rate for elementary and middle schools and a graduation rate of 88.3% for high schools. A 95 percent student participation rate must be attained as well as the student performance objective.

August 2, 2010

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