The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act signed by President Bush on January 8, 2002 reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, marking one of the most significant and sweeping federal education policy reforms in a generation.  This Act redefined the federal role in K-12 education with special emphasis on closing the achievement gap.  The Act is based on four principles:

1. Stronger accountability for results,

2. Increased flexibility and local control,

3. Expanded options for parents, and

4. Emphasis on teaching methods that have proven to work. 

Pennsylvania developed the Pennsylvania Accountability Plan in compliance with the Federal No Child Left Behind Law, which was enacted in 2002, as a way to measure school improvement and student achievement.

 

The Pennsylvania Accountability System:

• Applies to all schools and students. 
• Is based on Pennsylvania’s standards and content expectations. 
• Sets a goal to have 100% of students proficient or above by 2014.
• Uses a valid, reliable assessment system.
• Provides for rewards, assistance and consequences.

 

Schools are evaluated on achievement using the PSSA, participation in those tests, and on attendance (at the elementary/middle school level) and graduation rate (at the high school level).  These measurements make up a school’s Adequate Yearly Progress, commonly known as AYP. Using 2001-2002 data as the starting point, Pennsylvania established the following AYP targets for 2006:

·      54% of students proficient or above in reading

·      45% of students proficient or above in math

·      95% student participation in the PSSA

·      90% attendance rate or improvement; 80% graduation rate or improvement

 

These expectations apply not only to the school or district as a whole, but also to the performance of subgroups, including racial/ethnic categories, low-income students, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners.

 

As part of the Pennsylvania Accountability System and in compliance with No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Pennsylvania and all districts within the Commonwealth are required to create report cards at the beginning of the school year. 

 

Included in the “No Child Left Behind Informational Bulletin” is the Forest Hills School District Report Card.  Also included are the informational documents students, parents, guardians, and tax payers must receive as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act.  It is the Forest Hills School District’s intent to publish the “No Child Left Behind Informational Bulletin” in September annually.