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Past Extra Credits February 9
All issues
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Accountability in Action
As part of No Child Left Behind, every state has developed a unique state accountability plan to ensure that schools are meeting the needs of every child. These plans detail how states measure progress and what steps are taken when schools are identified by the state as in need of improvement. These plans also detail the more comprehensive actions a state takes to help schools that do not meet benchmarks for several years in a row. Sunday's West Hawaii Today included an article, "Teams target isle schools," detailing Hawaii's efforts to help several local schools where children have been struggling to meet Hawaii's educational standards. Following are excerpts from the article:
"Nine schools on the Big Island will receive assistance from intervention teams including three in West Hawaii—Kahakai Elementary School, Kealakehe Intermediate School and Waimea Elementary School."
"'The intervention teams are part of our state accountability plan under the No Child Left Behind Act,' said Greg Knudsen, director of communications for the state DOE."
"[Statewide] 47 schools were subjected to an educational audit by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP of Honolulu. The purpose was to perform an independent, objective assessment of the root causes for each school's failure to meet AYP, and identify what problems needed to be addressed.
"Inconsistencies in implementing standards-based learning and inadequate parental involvement and support were the leading root causes affecting performance, according to the audit.
"Of the 47 schools studied, 25 were identified as needing the most assistance and under the state's accountability plan, the intervention teams were initiated.
"'There will be at least three individuals on each school's intervention team, with one representative from the school, one from the complex area, and one that is an external education expert,' Knudsen said. 'These people will be selected based on what they can contribute to the specific needs of the school.'
"By the end of February, state intervention teams will create detailed plans offering specific recommendations for addressing problems revealed by the audit. In March, a second intervention team will form to implement and monitor the plan.
"'There will be monthly reports from the teams and an expectation to see things working,' Knudsen stated."
About Extra Credit
NCLB Extra Credit is a regular look at the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush's landmark education reform initiative passed with bipartisan support in Congress.
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Last Modified: 09/06/2007
