What does it mean for a Title I school to meet Adquate Yearly Progress (AYP)?
Georgia has set minimum academic standards that schools must meet. The state has also indicated the required percent of children at a school that must meet or exceed these standards.
Yearly tests determine how well students at a school are doing. Each year a higher percentage of students must meet or exceed the minimum standards. The percent keeps increasing until all students (100 percent) must meet or exceed the minimum standards by target year 2013.
If a Title I school fails to meet its AYP percent target for two or more years in a row, that school is designated as "in need of improvement" and faces consequences.
Consequences:
After two years in a row of not meeting the minimum standards, the school must offer public school choice. This means that a student can transfer to another school in the district if one is available.
After a third year, the school must offer supplemental services (such as tutoring) at no cost to the parent.
After five years, the school must take tough "corrective action" such as replacing school personnel or extending the school day.