Desert Trails 2008-2009 "EXCELLING"

"The AZ Learns accountability system is the best way to measure a schools performance from year to year, and gives parents a snapshot as to how their school compares with other schools around the state," said Arizona Superindent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

Meanwhile, 74 percent of Arizona schools made "adequate yearly progress" under the federal No Child Left Behind system.

The components for evaluating schools in determining their annual AZ Learns profiles are the following: AIMS/Dual Purpose Assessment (DPA); Measure of Academic Progress; Graduation/Dropout rates (HS); and the reclassification of ELL students.

Arizona Schools Superintendent Tom Horne stated, "We have a record number of schools excelling this year, going from 17% in 2008 to 21% excelling in 2009. We also are seeing an increase in the number of schools in the performing plus designation, moving from 21% in 2008 to 32% in 2009."

Education leaders say The AZ learns accountability system is the best way to measure a schools performance from year to year, and gives parents a snapshot as to how their school compares with other schools around the state.

"In the Scholastic Aptitude Test we're above the national average. In the ACT college entrance test we're above the national average. So I think that our emphasis on academic rigor in the classroom is really paying off," said Horne.

The federal accountability system, No Child Left Behind, measures Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) from year to year and has 253 specific points of measurement. The components for evaluating schools in determining their AYP status is: the percent of students passing; the percent of students tested; and graduation rate.

If a school fails just one of the 253 categories, the school fails to make AYP.
CONGRATULATIONS DESERT TRAILS' STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND STAFF!!!