Schools removed from 'Identified for Improvement' list

More than 40 schools previously identified as not making progress goals in English and math improved enough in 2006 to be removed from the list, according to the state Department of Education.

Schools and districts are identified for improvement when, for two or more consecutive years, they do not make adequate progress toward meeting the performance targets set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. They are removed from the list when they make adequate progress for two consecutive years.

Among these success stories is the Washington School in Springfield, the first Massachusetts school to be removed from the list entirely after having previously been given the most serious designation of "identified for restructuring."

Schools must meet progress goals for students overall, as well as goals for each of eight subgroups, such as those who have disabilities, speak limited English, or come from low-income households. Many of the schools dropping off the list in 2006 had faltered in earlier years because of the performance of a subgroup, rather than students overall.

SOURCE: State Dept. of Education