Durham Public Schools boasts three Schools of Excellence in ABCs results

September 12, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dr. Bert L’Homme, Associate Superintendent, Instructional Services, 560-3716 DURHAM—Twenty-seven schools turned in their highest overall performances ever in reading and mathematics last year, according to the state’s ABCs of Accountability report, which features three Schools of Excellence and 10 Schools of Distinction in Durham Public Schools. Results for the 2001-02 school year indicate that 27 of the system’s 41 schools that are rated by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s ABCs of Accountability assessment attained their highest percentage of students performing at or above grade level since the ABCs of Accountability assessment began six years ago. (The system’s three alternative schools – the hospital school, CIS Academy and Lakeview – are assessed under an alternative system.) Among the 2001-02 school year highlights: Easley, Little River and Pearsontown Elementary Schools have at least 90 percent of students at or above grade level and have met or exceeded expected growth/gain goals, which makes them Schools of Excellence, bringing the total number of such designations from one to a record of three. Club Boulevard, Eno Valley, Forest View, Hillandale, Hope Valley, Parkwood, Southwest Elementary Schools, Carrington and Shepard Middle Schools, and Durham School of the Arts reported between 80 and 89 percent at or above grade level and have met or exceeded their expected growth/gain goals, giving them School of Distinction recognition, and bringing the total number from seven to a record of 10. Twelve schools were Schools of Progress, reporting from 60 to 79 percent of students at or above grade level and meeting expected growth/gain goals. They are Fayetteville Street, Glenn, Holt, Lakewood, Merrick-Moore, Oak Grove, Pearson, Powe and Watts Elementary Schools, and Jordan, Northern and Riverside High Schools. Three schools were named Priority Schools, a new designation for the 2001-02 school year. These schools report either 50 to 59 percent of students at or above grade level regardless of whether they meet expected growth, or they report fewer than 50 percent of students at or above grade level, yet have achieved expected growth. Eastway Elementary and Hillside and Southern High Schools were named Priority Schools. It is important to note that Southern – last year’s only low-performing school – is a high growth/gain school this year. This year 13 schools received the No Recognition designation. These were schools that did not meet expected growth/gain but have at least 60 percent of students at or above grade level. They are Bethesda, Burton, Harris, Mangum, Morehead, Smith and Spaulding Elementary Schools, and Brogden, Chewning, Githens, Lowe’s Grove, Neal and Rogers-Herr Middle Schools. For the first time since the ABCs’ inception, there were no “Low- Performing” schools in the Durham Public Schools system. The ABC ratings are based on end-of-grade and end-of-course test scores. Those scores are applied to a formula that ultimately indicates relative achievement levels over the course of the year, taking a number of student performance factors into account. A school that makes expected growth/gain has shown growth that would be reasonably expected over one year’s time, based on previous performance. A high growth/gain school shows growth that is at least 10 percent higher than expected. Twenty-one DPS schools met their expected growth/gain goals, while six were high growth/gain schools. Schools of Excellence have at least 90 percent of students at or above grade level and meet at least expected growth/gain. Schools of Distinction have at least 80 percent at or above grade level and meet expected growth/gain. Schools of Progress are those with 60 to 79 percent at or above grade level and expected growth gain. Schools Receiving No Recognition are those that didn’t make growth goals, but have 60 percent or more of their population at or above grade level. Priority Schools are those with 50 to 59 percent of students at or above grade level, regardless of whether they made expected growth, and those below 50 percent that have achieved expected growth. “These results reflect the great strides that our students, teachers, principals, parents, and community supporters have made toward increased student achievement,” said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. “What a wonderful burst of momentum as we embark upon reaching our reading goal and closing the Achievement Gap within the next five years!” ### Attachment: ABCs Outcomes for Durham Public Schools