FeedsMaking the grade
Plymouth-Canton Schools make annual state goals
Things are looking up for the three high schools in the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.
Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools all met federal standards for “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP) in 2006—something they failed to do last year.
In 2004-2005, poor performance by special education students was the reason the high schools did not earn AYP distinction under the No Child Left Behind Act.
The State of Michigan released the “school report cards” last week, which account for the federal measure and state Education YES accreditation program. Among other measures, Michigan includes test results from the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) test to help determine AYP status.
“We’re very, very pleased and proud of the hard work our students have put in to prepare for the MEAP,” said Mike Bender, director of secondary education.
The high schools received B letter grades from the state. Under the federal measure, Canton High School is still listed as a phase two, which requires the school to offer choice, transportation, and supplemental services. Schools are no longer identified by the state for improvement if they make AYP two years in a row.
Elementary and middle schools in the district passed with flying colors, all earning A’s and the district overall met AYP.
One mark stands out on the district report card, though: Starkweather Center, an alternative education facility, was given a D-Alert grade.
“They unfortunately did not make the AYP standard,” Bender added. It was the third straight year Starkweather didn’t make the grade. “We’re not unlike other school district in southeast Michigan where the alternative education programs face some real challenges.”
Starkweather is a school of choice, which means it takes in students from other districts in addition to those within Plymouth-Canton boundary lines.
Students there typically have trouble fitting in or succeeding at a traditional high school or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since the minimum age for admittance at Starkweather is 16, students do not begin working with alternative education teachers until their junior year, when they take the MEAP.
Plus, only 16 students at Starkweather took the test. In total, Plymouth-Canton tested about 11,000 students this past year.
Still, the disadvantages encountered by Starkweather students aren’t taken into account by state or federal governments. Schools that do not make AYP face restructuring or loss of funding if they do not improve.
“No one is treated differently. All students are really held to the same standard,” said Bender. “What we are committed to is working with every student and giving them a chance to be successful.”
The tests keep coming, too. MEAP testing for students in grades three-nine begins Oct. 9. High school re-takes are offered later in October for those who are trying to improve on their spring test scores.
Preparing for the tests is admittedly tough for students and teachers just coming back from summer vacations.
“It is a real challenge and one we’ve been working real hard at,” said Bender. “It’s a total team effort.”
Complete school report cards are available on the web at https://oeaa.state.mi.us/ayp/
