Glade Creek joins Piney as School of Excellence in ABC program

By ROBBY LUCKE
Staff

The ABCs of Public Education report for the 2000-01 school year, released last week by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, heralded good news for the county’s three elementary schools.

Glade Creek Elementary School moved up from a school of distinction to a school of excellence status. Piney Creek Elementary School remained a school of excellence. Sparta Elementary School improved to a school of distinction.

Like some other high schools, Alleghany High School was hit hard by the state "raising the bar." While AHS met expected growth for 1999-2000, it did not meet expected growth for last year, although its performance composite (percentage of students demonstrating grade-level proficiency) was several points higher than for 1999-2000. The high school received a "no recognition" status.

The ABCs plan was created by legislation passed by the N.C. General Assembly in 1995. ABC is an acronym for accountability, basics and local control. Elementary and middle schools began operating under the ABCs in 1996-97, while high schools did so in 1997-98.

ABCs recognition categories for 2000-01 are:

the 25 most improved K-8 and 10 most improved high schools;
schools making exemplary growth;
schools making expected growth;
schools of excellence, in which at least 90 percent of pupils perform at or above grade level (or achievement level III) and the school meets the expected growth standard; and
schools of distinction, in which at least 80 percent of pupils perform at or above grade level.

The state board of education also must identify low-performing schools, those which fail to meet minimum growth standards and have a majority of pupils performing below grade level. Assistance will be provided to the neediest of those.

A school of distinction receives a plaque and certificate. A school of excellence receives a banner and certificate.

In addition, incentive awards are given to personnel: $1,500 per certified staff member and $500 per teacher assistant for a school making exemplary growth; $750 per certified staff member and $375 per teacher assistant for a school making expected growth.

Alleghany County’s total incentive award is thus $110,604, according to the department of public instruction release. Ashe County will receive $193,671, Surry County $476,748 and Wilkes County $285,006.

For 2000-01, Piney Creek had a performance composite (percentage performing at grade level) of 91.9, Glade Creek 91, Sparta 82.7 and AHS 68.9. Sparta met expected growth, while Glade Creek and Piney Creek met exemplary growth standards.

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