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Albert Lea schools fail to hit mark, again
Published Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Albert Lea School District did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress standards put forth by the No Child Left Behind Act for the third year in a row. Within the district, four out of seven schools did not meet AYP for various categories — two for the second year in a row.
However, the margin of meeting or not meeting standards for many areas was very slim. And some schools met AYP in previously failing areas but then did not meet in a different area.
“We had gains, but it wasn’t enough in some cases,” said Director of Curriculum Judy Knudtson, adding the AYP status wasn’t because students weren’t trying and weren’t learning.
Adequate yearly progress is determined by general education assessments, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Series II, the Students with Disabilities Alternate Assessment, the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills and the Mathematics Test of English Language Learners. AYP is the minimum standard of proficiency in these tests as determined by the No Child Left Behind Act.
The act aims to have 100 percent proficiency by 2014. To be determined proficient, students must meet or exceed standards on the tests. The U.S. Congress has yet to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, and many options for restructuring are being discussed.
As a district, Albert Lea did not meet nationwide standards in reading by the Hispanic subgroup nor in math by the Hispanic, English-language learner or special education subgroups. In 2007, the district did not meet AYP in math for the Hispanic subgroup.
Halverson Elementary School, which receives federal Title 1 funding to help with students from lower-income families, did not meet AYP for the second year in a row. In 2007, Halverson failed to meet requirements in reading for special education students and math for special education and Hispanic students.
This year, Halverson met standards in the three previously failing areas but did not make AYP in reading for Hispanic students.
Knudtson said the school has a short time to celebrate the successes it made before it has to work on the area it fell short.
Because Halverson receives Title 1 funding and did not meet AYP two years in a row, it will have to write a building plan to improve math and reading scores, according to Knudtson.
Lakeview Elementary School did not make adequate progress for the second year in a row — in both years it missed marks in reading for special education students and this year in reading for Hispanic students — but will not have to write a building plan because it no longer receives Title 1 funding.
Hawthorne Elementary School and Southwest Middle School both failed to meet AYP standards for the first time — and neither receive Title 1 funds — so they do not need to write plans. Hawthorne did not meet AYP in math for special education students. Southwest did not meet standards in math for Hispanic students.
Albert Lea High School failed to meet AYP standards in the Hispanic and special education math subcategories but passed this year. Sibley Elementary School and the Area Learning Center has met AYP standards for the past two years.
To help improvement next year, Knudtson said the district will look closely at the data and see what it can do. For the 2008-09 school year, the district will install a new elementary math program with math standards based report cards for parents and introduce new math text books for the seventh- and eight-graders that align with high school math and state standards.
“In every way it’s possible that we have thought of so far, we have been focusing more intensely on reading and math achievement,” Knudtson said. “All we will do is go back at it, look at it, fine tune and carry on. Sometimes it just takes time.”
Across the state, 200 more schools failed to meet standards than last year. Such a widespread issue draws attention to the testing standards themselves. This year the bar was raised requiring schools to have a higher percentage of students meet or exceed standards than last year.
“No Child Left Behind needs to be significantly changed, but increased funding would certainly help kids who are in need of additional support to do better on these tests,” said Superintendent David Prescott.
Funding could go to extra instruction before or after school, more teachers to provide smaller class sizes or specialized curriculum, he said.
“I think it’s fundamentally flawed because it was politically put together, not child-learning-research put together,” Prescott said.
It is projected, he said, that every school in Minnesota will eventually be on the list for not making AYP if the bar keeps getting raised. If a school district had all the funds it wanted there would still be one student that would have difficulty learning and not be able to perform on the tests, Knudtson added.
According to a Minnesota Department of Education press release, the increase statewide in schools not making AYP is the result of “slight improvements in proficiency” and increases in AYP targets for both subjects.
Schools are required to test 95 percent of all students in grades three through eight and 10 in reading and three through eight and 11 in math. The results are reported for all students and eight subgroups narrowed by demographics.
Participation rate is factored into a school’s or district’s AYP result, but for schools in the Albert Lea School District, participation wasn’t a problem.
Title 1 schools not meeting AYP for two or more consecutive years, according to the Department of Education, must provide parents with a choice of attendance at another school within the district. Transportation must also be provided as well as supplemental education services, such as tutoring. Schools could begin restructuring, too.
with students from lower-income families, did not meet AYP for the second year in a row. In 2007, Halverson failed to meet requirements in reading for special education students and math for special education and Hispanic students.
This year, Halverson met standards in the three previously failing areas but did not make AYP in reading for Hispanic students.
Knudtson said the school has a short time to celebrate the successes it made before it has to work on the area it fell short.
Because Halverson receives Title 1 funding and did not meet AYP two years in a row, it will have to write a building plan to improve math and reading scores, according to Knudtson.
Lakeview Elementary School did not make adequate progress for the second year in a row — in both years it missed marks in reading for special education students and this year in reading for Hispanic students — but will not have to write a building plan because it no longer receives Title 1 funding.
Hawthorne Elementary School and Southwest Middle School both failed to meet AYP standards for the first time — and neither receive Title 1 funds — so they do not need to write plans. Hawthorne did not meet AYP in math for special education students. Southwest did not meet standards in math for Hispanic students.
Last year, Albert Lea High School failed to meet AYP standards in the Hispanic and special education math subcategories but passed this year. Sibley Elementary School and the Area Learning Center has met AYP standards for the past two years.
To help improvement next year, Knudtson said the district will look closely at the data and see what it can do. For the 2008-09 school year, the district will install a new elementary math program with math standards based report cards for parents and introduce new math text books for the seventh- and eight-graders that align with high school math and state standards.
“In every way it’s possible that we have thought of so far, we have been focusing more intensely on reading and math achievement,” Knudtson said. “All we will do is go back at it, look at it, fine tune and carry on. Sometimes it just takes time.”
Across the state, 200 more schools failed to meet standards than last year. Such a widespread issue draws attention to the testing standards themselves. This year the bar was raised requiring schools to have a higher percentage of students meet or exceed standards than last year.
“No Child Left Behind needs to be significantly changed, but increased funding would certainly help kids who are in need of additional support to do better on these tests,” said Superintendent David Prescott.
Funding could go to extra instruction before or after school, more teachers to provide smaller class sizes or specialized curriculum, he said.
“I think it’s fundamentally flawed because it was politically put together, not child-learning-research put together,” Prescott said.
It is projected, he said, that every school in Minnesota will eventually be on the list for not making AYP if the bar keeps getting raised. If a school district had all the funds it wanted there would still be one student that would have difficulty learning and not be able to perform on the tests, Knudtson added.
According to a Minnesota Department of Education press release, the increase statewide in schools not making AYP is the result of “slight improvements in proficiency” and increases in AYP targets for both subjects.
Schools are required to test 95 percent of all students in grades three through eight and 10 in reading and three through eight and 11 in math. The results are reported for all students and eight subgroups narrowed by demographics.
Participation rate is factored into a school’s or district’s AYP result, but for schools in the Albert Lea School District, participation wasn’t a problem.
Title 1 schools not meeting AYP for two or more consecutive years, according to the Department of Education, must provide parents with a choice of attendance at another school within the district. Transportation must also be provided as well as supplemental education services, such as tutoring. Schools could begin restructuring, too.
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Comments
Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pass a referendum, fail the standardized testing.
Good thing throwing all that money at the problem made it go away. Maybe if we give them more this fall (especially since there may be consequences), they'll do a little better next year.
Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make it a requirement that the children be able to speak english BEFORE they are allowed to attend a public school and OUR children WILL NOT get left behind. I predict another referendum in the future which means our superintenent will probably need to grant himself another healthy raise.
Posted by medic (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go TEAM! I hope veryone who voted yes for the last referendum are happy with the results, sure are getting a lot for our money.
Posted by 1126 (Amanda Lester) on August 6, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, the referendum that passed last year was an operating levy, as I understand it. It asked only for money to keep operating as the schools had been operating in the past. With the economy in a shambles, we know how much more everything is costs us. It is no different for schools.
Secondly, the effects of changes and improvements in education take quite a while. Don't expect a referendum passed in November to change testing results by April and May.
Finally, students who do not speak English should absolutely be able to attend public schools. It seems that anyone who would suggest otherwise is also suggesting racial and/or ethnic segregation. Pretty sure that's illegal...
Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
1126...I would like you to explain your final comment to my grandfather who was not only not allowed to attend public school until he was able to speak English, if he were to be caught speaking any language other than English while in school he aggressively had a ruler applied to the back of his hand or else the the back of his bottom.
Posted by mommy07 (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the taxpayer I agree that your here in the US we all speak ENGLISH if we went to Mexico their country would expect us to know Spanish, or where ever any other country they would expect us to know their language why should it be different for us!!! and NO I am NOT racist or being rude mean what ever just stating how I feel.
Posted by cpraska1 (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I am a Canadian immigrant and I "AM HERE LEGALLY". WE are all English speaking.And I can tell you that it is not only the Spanish speaking people that are not passing the standard testing. I have been here six years and have difficulties in this district since moving here.My problems is that in this day and age I feel that the district is not behind the parents and when children are faltering and the parents are at their wits end there is very little if any support.now going on to the seventh year here I do have to say that the staff at the high school are trying very hard to fix a problem that should have been taken care of six years ago and for that I am very thankful.(they know who they are so thank you ).The district should be more supportive of the parents with children with learning difficulties and the teachers should be more informed of what resources are out there for assisting parents. Thank you
Posted by 1126 (Amanda Lester) on August 6, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Taxpayer,
To your grandfather, I would say that it is terrible that such an experience would happen to anyone. I would also say that I am glad that our country has changed ways and norms when it comes to the education of non-native English speakers, whether their home language is Swedish or Spanish.
I would also thank him for sharing those experiences. It is only through real stories about real people that we can change for the better.
Good thing the Supreme Court, in 1954 (most likely after your grandfather's school days) realized that segregation in schools is indeed unconstitutional.
I think these are great points that everyone is making. But, let's back them up with facts as well as emotions. Students who are immigrants do not have a choice in where they live.
Illegal immigration is a problem, but we musn't make it personal. Children immigrate here from diverse countries, whether it's Mexico or Canada, and they deserve the same basic rights children born here deserve. One of these rights is a free and appropriate public education.
Posted by 1126 (Amanda Lester) on August 6, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot to comment on one more thing: It is the classroom policy of most English as a Second Language teachers that students in their classrooms speak only English. They understand that this is the best way for students to learn English efficiently.
Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too must back up and keep in mind that it is not the fault of the children. The fault lies 100% on the adults/parents. It is their responsibility, not the schools, to know and ultimately pass onto their children the abilities to speak the primary language of the country in which they occupy. I don't feel that anyone is trying to take an individuals culture away from them meaning the language that is spoken in the privacy of their own home is their business. If you want to better yourself and make a better for your family by living in America than learn to speak the language just as our grandparents did/had to.
Posted by lundepride (Laura Lunde) on August 6, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just want to point out that this seems to be an area-wide problem. Check out the Austin, Owatonna, and Mankato newspaper sites. They all failed to pass the AYP standards too. I don't think it has anything to do with the referendum being passed. Society as a whole needs to figure out that the value of education is high, and spending money to keep up with basic educational needs is a necessity, not a luxury. Call your representative, let's get the state back in check with funding.
Posted by jam (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1126 -- Nice note about the classroom "policy".
For everyone, remember that there is no "official" language established for the United States anywhere in US Code or law.
Posted by corrinsta (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
just because someone speaks another language does not make them illegals, i'm proud of my heritage and that i can speak two languages. how many people can say that? this is not an issue about race or immigration, which having a father who is an immigrant does not put me on there side. i don't agree with illegal immigration but just because someone speaks another language don't make assumptions that they are illegal. that's just stupidity.
as for school, maybe more parents need to get involved with their children and their schoolwork needs. help the teachers out a little bit. i know we are busy parents, i sometimes forget to check my son's work because i'm so caught up in my own thing. i try my very best to stay on top of it and help him with whatever he needs. maybe we as parents need to take some extra steps to help our children understand their material. Teachers can't do everything.
Posted by Todd (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know how much non-English speaking literacy contributes to the test scores. In my experience, math is math in nearly any language; reading (in English) does not comprise 100% weight of the tests. I do know that today's parents largely turn their children over to the school system and say "Here, raise my kid, it's your responsibility". Minnesota is far from the bottom. As a parent who had a child in Sibley then subsequently was transferred to California, I can honestly say that Albert Lea's schools is far superior to California's education system. My child's teachers in Minnesota were concerned, communicated with us, offered help and resources when needed, and they were teachers who genuinely took their career seriously. However, I think that teachers naturally cater only to concerned parents that are interested in their child's development.
In central California, most teachers are here for the paycheck and benefits. If you child doesn't get it, you won't know until test day. Want extra help? Want a teacher to stay after school for individual guidance? Forget it. If they are asked to stay a few minutes longer, they complain and/or go to their union. Minnesota may not be the best, but if you want to see the worst of the worst, look west. For those of you who don't care about California, wake up. Your concerns about the non-English speaking citizens of our society were addressed years ago in California. The nation ignored the California's pains and didn't learn from its mistakes, so now many states (the taxpayers) will experience the same consequences . History does repeat itself to those whom don't pay attention. That lesson is for the adults.
Posted by karenflamey (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a product of the Albert Lea School System, and always bragged about how much better education was in Minnesota than in CA. I was shocked to see that your schools did not meet the standards for "No Child Left Behind". When looking at the school report card in CA (available on-line) it is clear where the biggest problem is. Most of our students (87%) are from illegal immigrants who have a much different attitude regarding education and speaking English. I had no idea that you also have this problem, though probably not as bad YET. In California it costs $15,000/student/ year,$12,000/year for"Virtual" School. Until we "STOP THE INVASION", "No Child Left Behind: will not work. Lets hope that the "Virtual School" works, (child uses a computer at home and the State provides teachers). You can learn about it by doing a Google Search for K12, or Virtual Schools. It is available in most states. It is an alternative to sending your child to a Title 1 school and is paid for by the State.
Posted by AL13 (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Over the last 10 years or so I have noticed how quick parents are to blame others for the mistakes of their children. Maybe if more parents made a point of turning off the TV and sitting down to a family dinner at night before helping their kids with their homework they would do a little better in school. I have friends who are teachers and the last few years they feel like little more than glorified babysitters.
Posted by cooper06 (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a parent with a several children in the school system. It has been frustrating to say the least to get help for my children from the teachers and/or administration. Unless your child is a minority or has special needs, they get left to fall through the cracks. What kind of teacher/administrative salaries are our tax dollars paying for if we can't count on them to TEACH our children. The average teacher's salary in this district is over $50,000 and they only work 9 months out of the year with MANY days off. It has been my experience that if you go to a teacher and ask them how your child is doing, they have to consult a grade book. Wouldn't it behoove them to actually KNOW this? My father is a retired high school math teacher. He could tell any parent what kind of grades EACH of his students were getting. Shouldn't we hold them (the teachers and administration) to a standard that could help insure our children are learning? Perhaps a pay cut or fee for those not getting the job done. How many employers would continue to employ a person for lack of job performance?
Posted by mosedart (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No Child Left Behind right? What a joke, how is cutting the funding of failing schools supposed to make them perform better? Seems a little backwards to me. I was a graduate of ALHS and a recent graduate of the University of MN and I can tell you that I recieved a great education here in Albert Lea. The problem is the non-english speaking students who are asked to take a test that they can't understand. Of course they are going to fail and there goes our funding.
Oh, and by the way Virginian, it was Bush and his cronies that proposed amnesty for the illegals currently in this country. Maybe you should educate yourself on the subject before commenting on it.
/Libertarian
Posted by Inabell (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get used to it… As the ridiculous law is written, the requirements for passing become more difficult until in a few years (2014) every child must meet “national” standards. It won’t matter if the child has an IQ of 60 or 160. Currently it is only the Hispanic and special education subgroups not meeting the standards but it won’t be too long before all subgroups will be “failing”. Don’t you love the irony of labeling a school failing if their special education students aren’t meeting the standards? Isn’t that why they are in special education in the first place?
Expecting 100 percent of children to be meeting certain standards is akin to expecting 100 percent of children to be at least average height. It’s never going to happen. So blame the scores on the “INVASION” if you want but know that soon, the “white” subgroup be in the failing list. By the way, these “national” standards really aren’t national but state determined. What is passing in other states may not be passing in Minnesota.
Posted by shedaisy (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Immigration is what makes this country great. Are you going to be the one picking potatoes out of the field at minimum wage? We need immigrants. The problem here is a combination of several factors. I had two children at the high school last year. First, class room sizes are too big and the teachers aren't able to communicate with parents effectively. I'm a very involved parent and always want to know what's going on in the classroom but it's difficult to find out what the homework is. The parent portal is only effective if the teachers update it and I can't trust my kids to be honest with what they have for homework. Second, parents simply do not spend enough time with their kids and don't know how to communicate with them. Third, the kids need to be disciplined for their inappropriate behavior (foul language and disrepsect) and there should be a dress code. Fourth, the No Child Left Behind Act is ridiculous. Fifth, what happened to tutors? My kids have needed the extra help and I've asked for tutors or extra time with the teacher and nobody offers any assistance.
Posted by DoubleD (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Norman Rogers once again posts without having an understanding. They are not national standards. The Minnesota standards are higher than other states, we expect more.
Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Based on your comments the way I see it is that the apple apparently doesn't fall too far from the tree Grampa.
Posted by karenflamey (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regarding the CA Schools, I failed to mention that only 18.5% of the students in the 7th grade passed the Physical Fitness CA Standards test. Picture that! My Grandkids that I am referring to will be in the 4th and 7th grade. They have been in a Private Christian School since the beginning with classrooms of about 20. I am not blaming the schools or the teachers, just the Illegal Immigrants who don't speak English! At the Public School I refer to, there are 83.17% Hispanic, 11.37% White, 4% African American (who scored very high),and 37% of the TOTAL school are English learners. Also, 51% are Socioeconomically Disadvantaged and 12% with Disabilities. If you go up the hill from us to another Junior High School the numbers are much higher, and 80% passed the Physical Physical Fitness Test. The test scores I looked at were National Averages as I know that CA schools are much lower than some other States. 5% of the English Learners met the National Average in Reading and 10% in Math. My Grandkids took the K12 "Virtual" school test and did pretty good. They will be placed in programs tied to their testing results. They may be a higher level in math and lower in reading for example. They will advance to more difficult levels as they learn. They have immediate access to their teacher(s). They go to a central area for tests. They will not be exposed to kids who don't respect the schools, teachers, parents or even themselves. They won't be exposed to vulgarity that is rampart in our public schools, even existed in the Christian School. The boy is on a excellent Ice Hockey team and the girl is in gymnastics. They get tons of exercise and socialization with kids their parents have control over. LEGAL IMMIGRATION made this Nation GREAT, not ILLEGAL. Come to one of the Border States and see what it is like! If we need workers, we have the ability to have them come on a TEMPORARY basis to work, leave family in Mexico and then return when the work has been finished. They are turning our Country into a third world nation. No Child Left Behind is a joke as Parents are suppose to be able to pick the school they want their child to attend if the school is in a Title 1 Status, but in fact they cannot because of capacity. Would you send your kid to a school that scored 2 in a 1 to 10, 10 being best? You're right, all subgroups are "failing" in some schools in CA. It is infectious, just wait, you'll see it too, sadly.
Posted by DoubleD (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Taxpayer....lol....when he left the state the average IQ here went up.
Posted by DoubleD (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are in good company. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Stillwater, and Lakeville are on the list too.
Posted by sicofit (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess I don't care who is on the list or what the rest of everybody thinks of illegal immigration or any of that. What I see is a bunch of disrespectful teenagers, not respecting themselves, their teachers, their peers, or their schools. You are in school to learn!!!! End of Story, not to text message, not to show you are the best dresser, or the best sports person or the best at anything. You are there to learn. I think these PARENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATERS, and anybody else reading this would take into consideration what you are raising. What you see with your own eyes is what you get. End of story!!!! As long as you Believe that material matters and popularity matters your kids will not succeed. I know this from pure experience and believe it or not it doesn't matter in the end. All that matters is that, you are a product of your parents, if they give you everything you want you will expect it, if they make you work your tale off for those things you will earn it. That is the difference between a winner and a loser. And if the parents are not taking the time to teach their children then the only one losing are the children. You can spend all of the money in the world at the time but the only thing that will teach them is their parents. By the way ALHS good job this year getting rid of the BS in the class room with the cell phones and IPODS. Bout time.
Posted by corrinsta (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
way to go sicofit. i was trying to say that as well. blame this, blame that. hello it comes down to parenting, i'm already getting my son ready for school. we read, practice math, and whatever else he needs help with. it's the parents job to keep up on this.
i'm not going to put my trust in some teacher who has all these other students to take care of, i'm going to take it upon myself to get him ready and able to stand on his own. that's my job as a parent. not to let him do whatever he wants and slide on by, no sir that doesn't happen. school first always.
Posted by sba77 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi,
I have read and heard a lot about how the Albert Lea community has been out spoken on how they passed the referendum and yet the schools still cannot perform. I would like to put in a good word for Sibley Elementary. This public school was one of the two schools in Albert Lea that did pass the state test requirements. The teachers at this school work very hard to make sure that their students are learning the skills they need to continue their education. The school is proud of their work and they should be acknowledged for it.
Albert Lea know that your public schools are doing their very best to educate your future our future needs your support!
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