"After topping the state average of West Virginia schools that met Adequate Yearly Progress, local school districts are pleased with the results of the West Virginia Education Standards Test, as it prompted 77.4 percent of Northern Panhandle schools to meet AYP. Statewide results from the West Virginia Department of Education released Wednesday show that more than 70 percent of schools made the grade as part of West Virginia Achieves, the state's No Child Left Behind accountability plan."

"‘Our numbers are improving across the board,‘ [State Superintendent of Schools David] Stewart said. ‘An extraordinary number of schools met AYP, 156 schools identified as year-one AYP schools in 2003 corrected their problem areas in 2004 and 38 Title I schools must provide ‘school choice.’ We are very proud of our students, teachers and schools. West Virginia Achieves is about closing the achievement gap,’ he added. ‘We recognize that our schools still have some work to do before all students are proficient.’"

"Locally, 48 of 62 schools in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel counties met AYP. Ohio County Schools Superintendent Lawrence Miller said he is excited about the progress the district has made. According to the West Virginia Department of Education data, 11 of 13 schools met AYP."

"‘We did very well as far as we’re concerned,’ [Tyler County Schools Interim Superintendent Susan Boyles] said. ‘We need to look at that one area (students with disabilities). We need to continue to improve. We’re pleased with the overall scores.’"

"Meanwhile, in Wetzel County, Superintendent Paul Barcus said the district improved, as 2004 yielded five out of eight schools that did meet AYP. … ‘Overall, we’re pleased,’ Barcus said. ‘We’re not where we want to be, but we want to keep getting better each year. Last year four schools did not meet AYP. … Today (Wednesday) I met with the staff,’ he added. ‘We came up with a motto: Together we will make Wetzel County Schools better tomorrow than today. We're aiming for annual improvement for all our students.’"

"Stewart commended teachers and parents for their dedication to the education of children throughout West Virginia. ‘I want to thank all of our teachers and parents who have rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly and creatively to close the achievement gap for all students,’ he said. ‘Our school improvement plan is second to none in the nation, and I am confident that soon all schools will meet AYP.’"