MAP results

Cape Girardeau has good public schools. So last week's news that Jefferson and Blanchard elementary schools did not make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act came as a blow. Both schools improved their scores over the previous year, but students at Jefferson did not progress enough in communication arts and math, and black students at Blanchard failed to match the goal set by the federal act.

Because the two schools failed to make AYP for the second year in a row, students at the schools now have the right to transfer to other elementary schools in the district, with the lowest-achieving students getting first priority. The number of students who could transfer to the district's other three elementary schools is limited because of the size of those buildings.

Parental involvement is one of the most important indicators of whether a child will succeed in school. One way the school system is attempting to increase the involvement of parents is through the Parent Liaison Program that began operating at Franklin Elementary School last year. The liaison acts as a resource for parents who might not feel comfortable dealing with school administrators.

The program rewards parents who attend school functions by awarding them points for each event they attend. At the end of the year parents who have accumulated more than 100 points are entered in a drawing for prizes.

A child's welfare ought to be incentive enough, but if the points provide an incentive that produces results, it's worth the effort.

The school system also could identify members of the community who can mentor students who lack models for success at school.

Many teachers doubt whether the goals of No Child Left Behind are achievable. For now, the schools have no choice but to find new ways to bring those goals within reach.