DERRY — Even though the state said some local schools aren't making the grade in certain areas, Derry school officials said there is plenty to be proud of where students' progress is concerned.
The State Department of Education released its results last week and designated schools around the Granite State as those making adequate yearly progress, or AYP, or those who are struggling and failing to make progress according to state standards.
But, Derry officials said the time to celebrate is now, even though there is always room for improvement.
"We've made progress, but not fast enough for the state standards," assistant superintendent Mary Ann Connors-Krikorian said at the school board meeting on Tuesday night.
It's often a frustrating thing, she added, when so many great programs are in place to help boost the district's schools, but state state scores are released still showing slow improvement in some areas like special education reading and math groups.
More than half — 26 of 40 local schools — failed to perform adequately in math, reading, or both.
Adequate yearly progress is mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act and is a goal set by the state based on how many students score at the state's recommended level on standardized tests in reading and math, and well as the school's partipation and attendance rate for those tests.
In Derry's case, there is always a bright side through the darker state results, Connors-Krikorian said, most of which is the continued growth and good progress Derry schools achieve.
She commended teachers, school staff, parents, and the students for all the hard work done and what will continue to be done to keep scores improving.
"The hard work should be celebrated and the hard work doesn't stop," she said. "We are always looking at what we can do better. What are we doing right? What can we do better? Let's celebrate what is good and what's great and happy in our schools."
Both Connors-Krikorian and Superintendent Mary Ellen Hannon said the state bar is being raised higher.
"The higher the bar goes, the more expectations (there are)," Hannon said. "I believe our kids can make progress, but it's black and white; yes or no, did we make AYP or not?"
Board member Craig Falkenham said he is impressed with the progress in Derry schools — some showing double-digit point gains — even though the state still reports several in the district are failing to make the grade in some areas.
"I'm not going to get worried about that (making AYP), obviously what's being done is the right things," he said. "The gains are tremendous and clearly we are doing something right."
Board Chairwoman Brenda Willis said it makes her sad to think the state and federal government measures success by its charts and numbers instead of seeing what is truly happening in the classroom to help children learn.
"I don't like the percentages and targets," Willis said. "I agree, we should be celebrating."
