8 Utah schools in 'needs improvement' status

SALT LAKE CITY — Eight of Utah's highest poverty schools landed in "needs improvement" status in 2010, according to federal No Child Left Behind standards, while eight others clawed their way out.

Under NCLB, 242 of Utah's schools are classified as low income, or Title 1. Last year, 12 Title 1 schools were identified as needing improvement.

Schools are evaluated based on the results of standardized testing in language arts and math. To earn a passing grade, schools must show adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward 100 percent proficiency.

"These schools are fighting an uphill battle," said Anne White, Title 1 coordinator at the Utah State Office of Education. But, all things considered, White said, "this year's results are encouraging."

The eight "needs improvement" schools are Antelope and Fremont elementaries in Davis District, Oquirrh Hills Elementary in Granite District, Farrer and Timpanogos elementaries in Provo District, Montezuma Creek Elementary in San Juan District, Coral Canyon Elementary in Washington District and the state-chartered Dual Immersion Academy.

Title 1 schools get an approximate $60 million in additional federal support annually, so the stakes for making AYP are higher. If a Title 1 School doesn't meet federal requirements, it must notify parents before school starts. If parents wish to send their child to a different school, the government will foot the bill for transportation.

Title 1 schools also teach high percentages of Utah's most challenging populations. At Oquirrh Hills Elementary in Kearns, for example, 86 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. More than half speak only limited English.

"We're really under a lot of pressure," said Vicki Rickett, Oquirrh Hills principal. While waiting for student test results, she said, she switched back and forth between "feeling good" and "feeling sick to my stomach."

Oquirrh Hills achieved AYP this year but is still classified as needing improvement. To be labeled as a failing school, schools must fail AYP two years in a row. To shed that label, they must pass two years in a row.

To increase scores this year, Rickett started an after-school tutoring program and began taking children out of class for English language tutoring.

As for next year, she said, "All we can do is try our best and hope we make it."

The Utah State Office of Education will release a complete list of AYP reports on Aug. 30.

e-mail: estuart@desnews.com