AYP"Adequate yearly progress" (AYP) has become the most closely watched measure of school performance. Yet some criticize it as an inadequate tool for identifying which schools are most in need of help. This edition provides explanations of how AYP is measured and how Philadelphia schools are doing, as well as exploring some of the criticisms and apparent inequities in the No Child Left Behind Law.

Education law is tougher on diverse schoolsPaul Socolar

State creates new ways to meet AYP targetsEva Travers

'No Child Left Behind' and AYP in Pennsylvania

Adequate yearly progress: Where District schools stand (requires Adobe Acrobat reader)
Adequate yearly progress: Where charter schools stand (requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

Key to the tables

Achieving 'proficiency': the devil is in the details of state plansEva Travers

With AYP, 'No Child Left Behind' takes aim at 'achievement gap'Eva Travers

Parent rights promised by NCLB often not exercisedKeith Weissglass

No Child Left Behind: Local Parent Resources

Struggling to make AYP: students' views from two schoolsRon Whitehorne

Kaplan test prep program up for reconsiderationSheila Simmons

Book by Dr. Seuss takes up high-stakes testing

As pressure grows to raise scores, how do districts spot cheating?Benjamin Herold

Sniffing out test irregularities in ChicagoBenjamin Herold

Questions parents can ask about AYP and school performanceBaruch Kintisch

Reading a No Child Left Behind 'school report card'Benjamin Herold and Paul Socolar

Sample report card with questions and answers (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Report cards are sent home to parents and are also available on the School District's website

Making AYP: The Game (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)Benjamin Herold and Bryan Lathrop

Other news & Features

Teacher equity struggle takes new directionSheila Simmons

Key provisions of PFT contract: more site selection, 25 'Incentive Schools'

Winter edition cartoonEric Joselyn

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