September 26, 2006

Schools in NCLB Restructuring: National Trends

Kerstin Carlson Le FlochJames Taylor

Yu Zhang

www.air.org

National Studies of NCLB Implementation

Study of State Implementation of Accountability and Teacher Quality under NCLB (SSI-NCLB)

National Longitudinal Study of NLCB (NLS-NCLB)

Data from both studies were published in National Assessment of Title I Interim Report

Study reports forthcoming fall 2006

www.air.org

National AYP and Identification Database

87,892 schools with valid AYP status and identification status, including schools in restructuring

Includes 50 states and the District of Columbia

Identification for improvement in 2004-05 (based on spring 2004 testing)

Currently adding data on identification for improvement in 2005-06 (based on 2005 testing)

www.air.org

Contents of the NAYPI Database, continued

Performance on 37 targets, including: Reading proficiency Math proficiency Reading test participation Math test participation Other academic indicator

Merged with the Common Core of Data for demographic variables, school level, urbanicity.

www.air.org

How many schools are in restructuring?

In 2004-05, about 1,200 schools in restructuring

In 2005-06, about 1,600* schools in restructuring

In 2005-06, about 1,000* schools in corrective action, and may move into restructuring in 2006-07

* Estimates from Ed Week report, 9/13/2006

www.air.org

Which schools enter restructuring?

Most schools identified for improvement are traditionally disadvantaged – high poverty, high minority, large, and urban.

Schools in restructuring show similar patterns. In absolute numbers, in 2004-05, nearly half of

restructuring schools were elementary schools A greater percent of middle schools were in

restructuring in 2004-05 than were elementary or high schools.

www.air.org

Who attends schools in restructuring?

In 2004-05, a little over 1 million students attended schools in restructuring

Of these students, 60% received free or reduced-price lunch

40% were Hispanic 37% were African-American 11% were white 6% were Asian-American

www.air.org

Why do schools enter restructuring?

Obviously, schools enter restructuring because they miss AYP targets. So what AYP targets do schools miss?

www.air.org

Where are restructuring schools located?

The states with the highest numbers of restructuring schools in 2004-05 were: California, Georgia, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.

21 states had no schools in restructuring in 2004-05

15 districts accounted for nearly half of schools in restructuring

But, about 400 districts had at least one school in restructuring in 2004-05

www.air.org

What help do schools need?

NLS-NCLB surveys asked school principals what assistance they needed, and whether they received it.

Among principals in schools identified for improvement:

Highest reported needs were for improved professional development for teachers

About half said they received the needed assistance to support parent involvement

About two-thirds received the needed support to address needs of LEP students

About two-thirds received the needed support to address problems of discipline, dropout, and truancy

www.air.org

Who exits restructuring?

There is hope for schools in restructuring: about 15% of schools in restructuring in 2004-05 actually made AYP for 2003-04.

Other strategies to exit restructuring: by becoming a charter school, grade reconfiguration, reconstitution

We don’t know enough about how schools exit

www.air.org

Concluding remarks

A challenge particularly for elementary and middle schools

A challenge focused in relatively few large districts in about 10 states

A challenge related to school size Strategies should be aligned with

challenges

www.air.org

For more information:

Kerstin Carlson Le FlochSSI-NCLB Project Director

American Institutes for Research

1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW

Washington, DC 20007

klefloch@air.org