Quincy junior high on 'needs improvement' list

QUINCY - McFarland Junior High School moved into the most critical step on the federal "needs improvement list," according to a preliminary report from the state superintendent's office.

Schools who did not make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act are placed on the list, according to the report. The Quincy school is on step five of the list, the lowest level.

District Superintendent Burton Dickerson noted McFarland Junior High School made adequate progress in 85.7 percent of assessed categories.

"There's always a glass half-empty or glass half-full choice of ways to look at things," he said.

The school did not meet the target for students with limited English skills passing the math and reading portions of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, and did not meet the target for students with limited income passing the math portion of the test.

"Strong student skills in the core subjects of reading and mathematics are essential indicators of school quality," stated Superintendent Terry Bergeson. "However, I want every parent to know that there is more to the quality of their child's education than the (adequate yearly progress) status in their local school."

To be removed from the list, a school must make adequate progress two years in a row.

Dickerson said he is working to ensure the focus remains on student achievement, that work is conducted collaboratively to maintain the focus and to ensure the emphasis is on results.

Parents have the option of receiving extra help for their children, he said. In a draft letter to be sent to parents, Dickerson said extra help could be provided before school, after school, during school intervention time, on weekends, or through summer school. It would be provided at no cost to parents.

Dickerson noted most schools in step five are at the middle school/junior high school level. According to the preliminary report, seven of the 11 schools in step five are middle or junior high schools.

"There's something system-wide there that's showing up on the radar," he said.

Other Quincy schools on the "needs improvement" list are Monument Elementary School and High Tech High, which are both in step 2.