According to information just released by the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE), after
tabulating CRCT (Criterion Referenced Competency Tests) retest scores, Cousins and Indian
Creek middle schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2009-2010 school year.
"Students, faculty, and administration at CMS and ICMS are to be congratulated,” said Newton
County School Superintendent Gary Mathews. “The federal AYP is challenging in that it requires
progress for all groups of learners including the economically disadvantaged and special needs.
The objective is to teach all kids well as it should be."
AYP designation is a reflection of the individual schools’ performance in several criteria:
percentage of students taking the test; the percentage of students meeting standards in
reading/language arts and mathematics; and for elementary and middle school students, the
percentage of student absenteeism. Performance in several subgroups, including students with
disabilities, the economic status of families, race ethnicity, and limited English proficiency, is also
analyzed.
A school that does not meet the criteria in any one of the three areas (test participation,
academic achievement, and attendance/graduation) for any subgroup is classified as not
meeting AYP. Should any of the subgroups fail to meet the standards, the school is also classified
as not meeting AYP—even if the school as a whole meets the criteria.
After calculating the scores from the original spring 2010 testing period, this is what occurred in
the AYP classification of Cousins and Indian Creek. Cousins did not make AYP because the
students with disabilities subgroup did not meet standards in math and English language arts.
Indian Creek did not make AYP this year because the students with disabilities subgroup did not
meet performance standards in math.
As a result, students who failed the math and/or reading language arts portions of the CRCT
were offered the opportunity to retest in May. Scores from these tests were then calculated by
the state and included in the GDOE’s final AYP report. With the retest scores included, both
schools have now made AYP for the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, Cousins Middle School is
now removed from the Needs Improvement List.
“Obviously, we are excited to know that our school has achieved Adequately Yearly Progress as
required under the current law,” said Scott Sauls, principal of Cousins Middle School. “It is
certainly a tribute to the performance of our students but also verifies the hard work that our
staff puts forth daily to provide a quality education for all students. Thanks are also offered to
our parents who continue to support us and believe in what we are doing here for their
children. Hopefully, this announcement will motivate our students to continue to work hard to
achieve AYP for this coming year. Again, congratulations to our students and staff for a job well
done!”
“This is a proud moment for Indian Creek Middle School,” added Dr. Renee Mallard, principal of
Indian Creek Middle School. “We are working hard to move out of Needs Improvement status
and this announcement validates and celebrates everyone’s hard work and dedication.
Achieving this would not have been possible without the concerted and collaborative efforts of
our teachers, staff, and students. I am fortunate to be part of this team.”
Links to the system and school AYP reports are available on the Newton County School System
website at the following page:http://www.newtoncountyschools.org/about/ayp.asp
