Year 2 AYP Needs Improvement Letter
November 1, 2014
Dear Parents and Patrons:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that according to 2013-2014 state student assessment results, Niobrara Elementary School is in Year 2 of Title I School Improvement for the 2012-13 school year under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. Niobrara Elementary School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three consecutive years. While Niobrara scores on the NeSA Reading and Mathematics Assessment improved over last year, for the third consecutive year the subgroup of All Students has been listed as not making adequate yearly progress in reading and mathematics. Additional information about how our school compared to other schools in the state is available on the State of the Schools Report on the Nebraska Department of Education web site.
Niobrara Elementary School receives federal funds from the Title I program. These funds help students who are not achieving at grade level in math or reading in high-poverty schools. One requirement of a school identified is to establish an Accountability Compact Team to assist in planning and evaluating strategies for improvement in the elementary school. Members of the team include staff from our district, ESU staff, NDE staff, and a parent from our school district.
We are concerned about the academic progress of all of our students. The School Improvement Team, with district and state assistance, has identified reading as the area of concern and has conducted scientifically based research on new reading interventions. Student test scores, state assessment scores, school board input, and teacher input were all considered in making this decision.
Because Niobrara Elementary has been identified as a school “ in needs of improvement” it must offer Public School Choice. However, because Niobrara Elementary School is the only elementary school in our district there is no transfer option available to our students.
This identification also requires Niobrara Elementary to provide Supplemental Educational Services (SES) to eligible students. Enclosed is a list of SES providers that have been approved by the State Department of Education that could provide tutoring services for your child. Parents who choose to have their children participate in SES are asked to contact the Niobrara Elementary school office at (402)-857-3323 by December 30 to enroll. A second enrollment window will be offered later in the school year. Once notice has been received, we will make enrollment arrangements as quickly as possible and will notify parents upon approval.
We welcome your involvement at Niobrara Elementary School. There are many ways to participate including offering your input to the School Improvement Team, volunteering, and attending parent conferences with your child’s teacher(s). Other ways to support your child’s success are to assure that your child is prepared, attends school each day, and has completed their homework.
Niobrara Elementary School held its annual meeting to develop our parent involvement policy and to review parent rights under Title I and other information September 25, 2014. The Title I district-wide parent involvement policy was reviewed this past fall and will again be reviewed this upcoming fall on a date to be announced later. You are welcome to be a part of that review process.
If you have questions about this information, please feel free to contact Margaret Sandoz. Please continue to work with us to make sure that we achieve success for every student.
Sincerely,
Margaret Sandoz
Superintendent/Elementary Principal
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