The District's mission is to educate students in a safe learning environment so that they may develop to their highest potential and become contributing citizens.

No Child Left Behind

No Child Left Behind is a piece of education legislation that outlines steps school districts must take to meet federal guidelines for education standards.

Signed into law in January 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and incorporates education reform, particularly in the areas of assessment, accountability, and school improvement.

The new law requires States to develop standards in reading and math, and assessments linked to those standards for all students in grades 3-8. In addition, NCLB requires school districts and schools to use Title I* funds for activities that scientifically based research suggests will be most effective in helping all students meet these State standards.

States also must develop annual adequate yearly progress (AYP) objectives. These objectives must be disaggregated by student groups based on poverty, race and ethnicity, disability, and limited English proficiency. In addition, the AYP objectives must result in all students achieving proficiency in reading and math within 12 years.

NCLB also requires schools to permit students in schools in Title I schools that fail to meet annual State AYP objectives for two consecutive years to transfer to another school.** If Title I schools continue to fail to meet AYP objectives, their respective students will be permitted to use Title I funds to obtain supplemental educational services from a provider selected by their parents from a State-approved list.

NCLB requires Title I schools identified for improvement (after failing to make AYP objectives for two consecutive years) to develop improvement plans incorporating strategies from scientifically based research. Schools that fail to improve are subject to increasingly tough corrective actions—such as replacing school staff or significantly decreasing management authority at the school level—and could ultimately face restructuring, which involves a fundamental change in governance, such as a State takeover or placement under private management. To help States, districts, and schools carry out needed improvements, NCLB significantly increases and makes mandatory the reservation of a portion of Title I Part A allocations for program improvement.

NCLB also authorizes State Academic Achievement Awards to schools that significantly close achievement gaps or exceed AYP standards for two or more consecutive years, as well as awards to teachers in such schools. However, the new law punishes States that fail to put in place systems of standards, assessments, and accountability by permitting — and in some cases requiring — the Secretary to withhold a portion of Federal funds provided for the administration of Title I.

For additional information, please visit the official No Child Left Behind website.

* Title I funds are allocated by a federal government program that provides additional financial assistance to schools that qualify. Schools qualify based on the number of students who are eligible to receive reduced price and free lunches.

** Students will be able to choose from a list of selected schools when deciding on an alternative school to attend.

St. Vrain Valley School District is working toward meeting AYP objectives required by NCLB. In 2003-2004, SVVSD reached 71% of the AYP targets set forth by NCLB. In 2004-2005, the District made significant improvement and was able to meet 94% of the AYP targets.

Since the District did not meet all of the AYP objectives for two consecutive years it was required to submit a program improvement plan to the Colorado Department of Education. The plan (summary, complete plan) addresses academic achievement for subgroups of students who did not meet AYP objectives.

Please submit any questions or comments you may have about NCLB (including the District's Program Improvement Plan). Any submitted comments will be reviewed and are greatly appreciated (all fields are required).

* Submitted email address will only be used for the purpose of responding to your submission. Email addresses are not recorded or saved.