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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The numbers are in for Kirksville School Districts Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) report.  The AYP is the federal government’s assessment for performance in alignment with requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.  Kirksville Schools Curriculum Director Mike Bartig said the 2009-2010 school year brought good numbers.

“We’re happy with our performance but we’d like to be higher” said Bartig.  “We made an increase at all levels.  Middle school we did go back in communication arts slightly but at Ray Miller we did increase four percent in communication arts and six percent in math.  High school we made a 27 percent jump in algebra one performance which is fantastic.”

The AYP analyzes both math and communication arts skills for elementary, middle, and high school students.  Below is a list of how Kirksville School District has been assessed over the past three consecutive years. 

Grades 3-5
Communication Arts
2008: 49 percent
2009: 52 percent
2010: 56 percent
Math
2008: 52 percent
2009: 51 percent
2010: 58 percent

Grades 6-8
Communication Arts
2008: 53 percent
2009: 57 percent
2010: 51 percent
Math
2008: 63 percent
2009: 65 percent
2010: 67 percent

Grades 9-11
Communication Arts
2008: 47 percent
2009: 77 percent
2010: 79 percent
Math
2008: 53 percent
2009: 40 percent
2010: 67 percent

Bartig said Kirksville’s School District has always been above average.

“Missouri’s index is out and we’re above the state average in all content areas at all grade levels and we always have been” said Bartig.  “We’ve always performed well.  If you look at our map performance you see we’re above 50 percent advanced proficient in all content areas in all grade levels and that’s a pretty high mark.  While that’s good, we’re not satisfied with that because there are always areas we stand potential for improvement.”

Although the report was positive, Bartig said the process of scoring is not even for every state.
 
“I think it’s important to know that Missouri has one of the most difficult assessments in the nation yet we’re held top the same targets to all other states” said Bartig.  “That’s a little frustrating because our kids in Missouri are taking a way rigorous assessment and being held to proficiency standards that are the same for other states but their tests are not the same.”

The Kirksville School District will start classes for the 2010-2011 school year on Wednesday, August 18.