Tough test standards trip up schools

Tougher standards have caused more than half of Triangle public schools to fail to meet federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind program.

Based on test results released this morning, passing rates were as low as 17 percent of schools in Durham, 24 percent in Wake County and 33 percent in Orange County.

Passing rates were 50 percent in Johnston County, 53 percent in Chatham County and 59 percent in Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

The test results released this morning covered math scores in elementary and middle schools and both reading and math scores in high schools. The passing rates could drop even further when the results of new reading exams in elementary and middle schools are released this fall.

To meet the federal standards, at least 77.2 percent of students in an elementary or middle school had to pass the math exams. That's up from 65.8 percent last year.

Furthermore, schools must evaluate students in groups according to 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.

The preliminary results released today make it likely that the number of North Carolina schools receiving federal penalties will rise sharply. At least 14 elementary schools in Wake County will be penalized.

Most schools face only bad publicity for not passing. But any school that receives federal Title I funds and fails to meet the testing standards two years in a row must give parents the option of transferring their children to another school. Title I helps with low-income students.

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

The state is asking for federal permission to allow schools to begin offering tutoring services before providing transfers to students. Federal officials have not yet responded to the request.

The federal government's goal is to have 100 percent of students passing by 2014.

For results of individual school districts, go to No Child Left Behind.