Alabama Has a Decrease in Title I Schools In Improvement Status

Today is the day that the list of schools that did not make adequate yearly progress (AYP) was released. Its also a day that many are breathing a sigh of relief! This year the number of schools in improvment status has gone down. If a school does not meet its AYP goals two years in a row in the same subject area, the school enters improvement status. Once a school is identified as in improvement, it must make AYP two years in a row to come out of improvement status.

According to the Alabama Department of Education, 1,376 public schools, including 866 Title I schools, were measured for the 2009-10 AYP status (based on 2008-09 data). This year in Alabama, 122 schools have been identified for School Improvement. Of those identified, 52 are Title I schools – a 29 percent decrease over last year’s 73 Title I schools. These 52 Title I schools must offer School Choice if a school of choice is available in the same district.

Title I schools identified for School Improvement in Year 2 and beyond must continue the school choice option to all students and provide Supplemental Education Services (SES) to students eligible for free/reduced meals. Non-title I schools may offer the same provisions, but don't have to because of the cost. In 2009, the Alabama Department of Education requested a continuation of the waiver so that schools in their first year of improvement may offer choice instead of SES. Parents can contact their local school system’s central office for more information.

Accountability results, assessment results, a listing of all schools, including their AYP and School Improvement status, and School Choice information can be found on the Alabama Department of Education’s Web site at www.alsde.edu under “Accountability Reporting.”