School Year Plus enrollment drops by more than one fourth
July 1, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dr. Bert L’Homme, Associate Superintendent Instructional Services, 560-3716 DURHAM--A lot more Durham Public Schools students are getting a summer break this year than last, as the number of students in grades 3, 5 and 8 requiring remediation fell sharply, by 27 percent, for the 2002-03 school year. The drop is due to an increase in the number of students meeting promotion standards. To be promoted to the next grade, students in the "gateway" grades of 3, 5 and 8 must pass the end-of-grade test scores administered at the end of the school year, with a few exceptions that include consultation among the student’s parents or guardians, teachers and principal. If students fail the first round, they may take a "retest" before the last day of school. According to the results after the second administration, a total of 883 students in these grades are attending School Year Plus (a summer remediation program), or 323 fewer students than last year’s total of 1,206. This translates to a 6.9 percentage-point increase in students meeting promotion standards in third grade this year over last (87.5 percent compared to 80.6 percent), 5.8 percentage points among fifth-graders (96.3 over 90.5), and 4.3 percentage points among eighth-graders (79.2 over 74.9 percent). Earlier this month, the district released data that revealed overall increases in student achievement in all 36 elementary and middle schools, and the highest one-year increase in reading and math score composites for grades 3 through 8. The district’s average reading score for grades 3 through 8 is at its highest ever, with 79.4 percent of students reading at or above grade level. Likewise for achievement in mathematics in those grades, with 83.2 percent of students tested achieving proficiency. Several schools reported more than 90 percent proficiency in both subjects and all grades. A number of schools reported 100 percent proficiency in at least one subject and one grade. "Our dwindling School Year Plus enrollment is yet another indication of the significant progress our students are making in Durham Public Schools as we move closer to our dual goals of 95 percent of students reading proficiently and closing the Achievement Gap by 2007," said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. "This is a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth by our students, teachers, principals, parents and Central Services professionals, along with the supporters from our businesses and communities of faith who have committed their time, resources and expertise toward this effort." ### Attachment: Summary of Students Passing the Gateway Promotion Standards in Durham Public Schools, Grades 3, 5 and 8: 2001-02 and 2002-03
