AYP causes problems for Springbrook

Written By:
Chris Roe

Published:
Oct. 14 2009

Throughout the state, the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) serves as a mechanism to determine how schools need to improve, and further, where funds need to be properly and successfully allocated.

            Schools can successfully meet the AYP by completing the English 10 and Algebra High School Assessments. This past year Springbrook did not meet the Annual Measurement Objectives. 65.8 percent of students in the 2009 graduating class did not get proficient or advanced scores in the two subgroups of special education and limited English (ESOL).

            “It is important and we can't take the news lightly, but we still have an excellent academic program. We have developed a school improvement plan with each department having developed an action so we can figure out what happened with our performance and come up with strategies to fix it,” Principal Debra Mugge said.

            The school will now receive support from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), where curriculum and instructional specialists will help review the instructional program.

“The Instructional Leadership team is going to focus on literacy instruction by working with our staff development teachers. No repercussions this year but we do not want to miss AYP two years in a row,” Mugge said.

As in cases with schools and the AYP, teachers are a very significant factor in the education of students. As a result of not making the AYP at the school, the teachers must analyze their classroom data in order to support their teaching, as well as their students’ learning.

            When a school misses the AYP for the second year, they are identified as a “school in need of improvement,” where they are then prone for immediate interventions by the State Education Agency. If the school does not make the AYP in the years following, there are more significant consequences.

            Now on the state and local watch list, Springbrook is the only high school in the county who did not make AYP according to academic performance. However, MCPS is still held in high regard when it comes to education.

            When it comes to the AYP, students also need to focus more on their education. This requires more help from the school, including preparation for testing.

            “We need to make sure students are prepared for the HSAs and to take them seriously and not depend on Bridge projects to graduate,” Mugge said. “HSA scores are now reported on transcripts and students should put forth the effort to pass these assessments.”

            Although the school did not pass the AYP requirements, it still remains a facility strongly dedicated to education.