State's revised list on failing schools weeks away

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Schools in more than 200 districts have appealed their "failing" label under a new federal law to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Districts had until Nov. 7 to appeal on their schools' behalf, and the state plans to announce which schools, if any, are being dropped from the failing list around Dec. 1.

The Cape Girardeau School District is among those that appealed their adequate yearly progress results from the spring 2003 Missouri Assessment Program tests. Both Franklin and Jefferson Elementary schools did not make AYP this year because not enough student took the test.

Cape Girardeau curriculum director Pat Fanger now says she believes at least one of those schools should be taken off the failing list because of incorrect student data that was submitted with the tests.

Fanger would not specify which school, because she wants to avoid "getting up false hopes."

"At this point, what's done is done and we're working toward next year's tests," she said.

Under the initial finding, half of Missouri's public schools were found to be failing to meet academic standards established under a new federal law. Some could face penalties if they don't improve during the current school year.

Data showed that students in 1,033 of Missouri's 2,055 schools failed to make "adequate yearly progress" last year on standardized tests in mathematics, communications arts or both subjects.

The comprehensive achievement list is the first compiled by the state under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which sets a goal of having all children proficient in reading and math by 2014 and requires each state to set annual achievement targets.

Staff writer Callie Clark contributed to this report.

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On the Net:

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: www.dese.mo.gov.