July 29, 2009

Dear Parent or Guardian,

     Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, each state is required to assess all school districts to determine if each district has made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward meeting the academic testing standards and additional measures set by the state. AYP decisions are based on the results of state testing in communication arts and math and the district’s attendance rate and graduation rate.  If the district has not made AYP for two consecutive years in any one of the four areas, it is considered “in need of improvement.”

     Based on the results of the 2008 academic testing in communication arts and math and the district’s attendance rate and graduation rate, the Bloomfield R-14 school district did not make adequate yearly progress for the following reasons:

1.  One student sub-group did not meet the Annual Proficiency Target of 42.9% in Communication Arts for

     2007.

2.  Two student sub-groups did not meet the Annual Proficiency Target of 51% in Communication Arts for     

     2008.

     Because of this designation, the district must develop a plan for improvement.  One important component of this plan will be parent involvement in both the development and implementation of the plan. 

     You can also help by increasing your understanding of the assessment, understanding the importance of good attendance and graduating from school, visiting schools, becoming a volunteer and engaging in reading and math strategies at home.

     Information about No Child Left Behind and what parents can do to improve student achievement can be found at:  <<http://www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml>>.

Sincerely,

Nicholas J. Thiele, Superintendent

Supplemental Educational Services (SES)

     Under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), this option of after-school tutoring by an approved provider is available to parents of eligible children that attend a Title I school in School Improvement Level 2, and every year thereafter the building is in School Improvement status.

Public School Choice

Under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), this option is available to all parents whose child attends a Title I school in School Improvement the first year and every year the building is in School Improvement status.