Significantly more of the District of Columbia’s public schools have failed federal standards on teaching math and reading than a year ago, an internal schools report obtained by The Examiner found.
Seventy-two of the District’s 142 schools fell below federal standards in one or more categories measured by the federal government under the No Child Left Behind Act, according to an internal report by new schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. That would mark an increase of 26 percent from last year, when 57 schools tested below federal standards, records show. The results were based on tests taken by all city students this spring.
Only a handful of schools had 50 percent or more of their students test at or above “proficient” in reading and math, the report found.
Of the failing schools, at least 17 have flunked the tests for four years in a row and were in need of “corrective action” plans — a drastic overhaul of the schools’ approach, according to the findings.
Under the No Child act, children are allowed to transfer out of their failing schools or receive tutoring at government expense. But the internal schools report offers a grim view of the few remaining chances for the District’s 51,000-plus public schools students.
Twenty D.C. middle schools, for instance, were failing federal standards — with 11 of them in need of “corrective action.” But only two schools were designated to receive the thousands of children who wanted to transfer out of their failing schools. One of them, Marshall Elementary School, had severe problems of its own. Only 37 percent of Marshall students tested “proficient” or better for reading, and only 31 percent were “proficient” or better in math, according to the internal report.
The abysmal test scores for the District schools are yet another indication of the dizzying problems facing Rhee and her staff as they try and tackle the $1 billion-plus school system. Rhee’s boss, Mayor Adrian Fenty, swept to power promising a quick and relatively painless turnaround in the city schools.
But aides to the mayor now say they didn’t realize what they were getting into when they moved to take over the stricken schools and are quietly moving to dampen public expectations for reform.
For some parents trapped in a failing system, patience is wearing thin.
“This in the nation’s capital, and we’re the worst in the nation,” said Theresa Bollech, a parent and activist. “Where do we go from here?”
No Child Left Behind?
Some of the worst-performing D.C. schools and the percentage of students who tested at or above “proficiency” in reading and math:
» Moten Elementary School, 16 percent reading, 7 percent math
» Stanton Elementary School, 13 percent reading, 7 percent math
» Webb Elementary School, 10 percent reading, 11 percent math
» Johnson Middle School, 16 percent reading, 15 percent math
» Anacostia High School, 11 percent reading, 6 percent math
» Ballou High School, 10 percent reading, 7 percent math
Anyone with information on the D.C. schools may call Bill Myers at 202-459-4956 or e-mail [email protected].
