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Frequently
Asked Questions
About No Child Left Behind
What is "No Child Left Behind"?
What right do parents have about school choice under "No Child Left
Behind"?
What is "Adequate Yearly Progress"? Who decides if a school has made AYP?
If a school does not make Adequate Yearly Progress, does it mean the
school has "failed" or is a "bad school"?
I am choosing a new school for my child. Should I apply for schools that
made AYP? What else should I consider when making my choices?
If my child goes to a school improvement school. What should I do?
What are Supplemental Educational Service?
Who is eligible for Supplemental Educational Services?
What is "No Child Left Behind"?
"No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) is the federal program's biggest program
for elementary and secondary education. Its purpose is to give extra
money to schools and school districts that service many low-income
students. The money must be used to improve academic achievement in
basic subjects and, as one strategy, engage families in the education of
their children. NCLB is the new name for the Elementary and Secondary
Act, which was reauthorized in 2002 with many changes.
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What right do parents have about school choice under "No Child Left
Behind"?
NCLB gives parents in Oklahoma City Public Schools the following rights
(among many others):
The school district must inform you if your child's school is on the
Oklahoma Department of Education list of schools that have not made
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two or more years.
If your child's school is on this list, you have the right to request a
transfer to another school within the district, as seats are available.
If your child's school is on the list for three years, you may request a
transfer to another district school, or you may keep your child in the
same school and receive supplemental educational services, with certain
restrictions.
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What is "Adequate Yearly Progress"? Who decides if a school has made
AYP?
NCLB requires public schools in every state to inform parents if their
child's school fails to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in English
language arts, mathematics, or both. AYP is based on statewide tests.
AYP in Oklahoma has been defined as meeting or exceeding both the growth
target for (API) Academic Performance Index scores in all disaggregated
subgroups in reading or math. These include each racial category,
limited English, Special Education, and Free and/or Reduced Lunches.
Oklahoma uses tests results from the Oklahoma
Core Curriculum Tests ( criterion-referenced tests of the state
curriculum taken at grades 3, 4, 5, at the elementary level) to measure a school's progress. The
Oklahoma Department of Education uses a formula to set each school's
goal for annual improvement.
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If a school does not make Adequate Yearly Progress, does it mean the
school has "failed" or is a "bad school"?
No. It means only that the school has not improved at the rate required
by the state. Some schools with very low scores make AYP, while other
schools with much higher scores do not make AYP. Why? Because AYP is
based on the school's rate of improvement, not on the school's actual
test results.
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I am choosing a new school for my child. Should I apply for schools that
made AYP? What else should I consider when making my choices?
You should consider many factors when choosing a school. Be sure to
visit several schools before you apply. Is the school welcoming,
respectful of children and adults, orderly, and full of displays of
high-quality student work? Do principals and staff seem caring and
professional? Are students spending a lot of time on the academic
subjects-especially reading and math? Are students actively engaged in
student achievement and other test results, and be sure you are
satisfied that the school is making measurable academic progress-but AYP
is only one of many factors to consider.
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If my child goes to a school improvement school. What should I do?
You can either keep your child in the school, or you can request a
transfer to another school for the 2005-2006 school year. Talk to the
teacher and principal before you decide. Are you and your child happy
with the school and the teachers? Do you think your child is making good
academic progress? If so, you will probably want to stay in the same
school. Also, keep in mind that changing schools is very disruptive to
both the child and the school. Researchers have found that children who
change schools frequently are less likely to do well academically than
children who stay in the same school.
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What are
Supplemental Educational Services?
Typically, Supplemental Educational Services (SES) are tutoring services
that take place outside of regular school hours. The purpose is to
improve students' literacy and math skills so they can meet high
standards. These services may be provided in your child's school or at
another location; hours and content will vary by program. The parents
may choose the program-that seems best for their child and most
convenient for the family. You can get more information about available
SES programs from your child's schools or visiting the Oklahoma State
Department of Education website.
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Who is
eligible for Supplemental Educational Services?
Students in regular education, special education, and bilingual programs
who are enrolled in our 4th year school improvement schools and who are
eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunch are eligible for SES. But
keep in mind that federal funding is limited, and there may not be
enough seats available for every eligible child who requests SES. If
this happens, students with the greatest academic need will receive
first priority.
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