"We have refocused energy and have had schools come out of 'school improvement' and make incredible gains and that can demonstrate that progress can be steady and consistent as they focus on the needs of the students," he said.

Most education leaders say they like the idea of encouraging schools to focus on the groups of students that need help the most. What they don't like is that no funding comes with it.

So if a school is on the "needs improvement list" and requires extra help, it's up to the district to foot the entire bill related to more instruction and other interventions..

Leaders say it's frustrating, but schools are going so far as picking students up at home to ensure they make it on test days and briefing parents to make sure students are in their best form during exam week.

Holt Elementary in Davis School District failed to make AYP last year. So to make sure they didn't get on the dreaded school improvement list school leaders created an early morning extended learning program for those students who were falling behind.

Then last spring they paired up community and school leaders to go door to door and inform parents about the importance of the test and ways they can help their children do well, such as get lots of sleep and eat a hearty breakfast.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com

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