Schools likely to fail federal standards

Fewer students are expected to pass new reading exams given this year, making it harder for schools to pass the No Child Left Behind program.

This means more schools will likely have to allow students to transfer and start tutoring programs.

The State Board of Education had asked that schools be allowed to break in the reading exams and not count the scores this year. The state is already not using the reading exams for determining whether teachers will get bonuses this year.

The request was rejected. In the rejection letter, U.S. Education Assistant Secretary Kerri Briggs said not counting the reading exams could lead to students not getting needed help.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Education rejected the state’s request to use a five-year graduation rate to hold high schools accountable under No Child Left Behind. A five-year rate would have allowed the state to report a higher percentage of graduates.

Briggs said the state’s request to use a five-year high school graduation rate was rejected because that’s not the standard amount of time for the vast majority of high school students to obtain a diploma.

The State Board of Education will approve these changes to the testing program on Tuesday afternoon.

The reading exam results won’t be released until October, and it’s unlikely parents will take the transfer option for their children that late into the school year.

Under No Child Left Behind, schools nationwide are required to demonstrate that they are closing achievement gaps among different groups. The law requires schools to group students based on race, family income, English proficiency and other factors. If any group doesn't measure up on state reading and math tests, the entire school is considered deficient.

Most schools only face bad publicity for not passing. But any school that receives federal Title I funding must give parents the option of transferring their children if the school falls short two years in a row. Title I helps with low-income students.

After falling short for three straight years, schools must provide paid tutoring services to students. If the school still falls short after several more years, the teachers and principal could be removed.