49 days ago
The state Department of Education says 26 of Bibb County's 41 schools are making the grade.
The number of schools on the adequate yearly progress list has grown by 7 since it was announced in July.
The school system is calling that a credit to their teachers, staff, parents, and students.Bibb County teach Ingrid Woolfolk says she's never doubted the quality of the school system that she went through as a student.
"We truly are a school that cares," says Woolfolk, "No child is going to be left behind."
For at least 2 years in a row, the school did not make the adequate yearly progress or AYP list, and failed to meet state standards.
But that has changed.
The number of schools making adequate yearly progress for 2007 to 2008 was 19, less than half of Bibb's 41 schools. That number is now at 26, which is nearly two thirds.
According to the state, the 7 schools new to that list are:
- Howard Middle School
- Weaver Middle School
- William S. Hutchings Career Center
- Bruce Elementary
- Burghard Elementary
- Carter Elementary
- Rosa Taylor Elementary
Friday, school superintendent Sharon Patterson recognized the school district for the achievement, but also gave credit to the Capital Improvement program, which gave schools new buildings or building improvements.
Patterson said almost all schools meeting AYP have benefitted from the program supported by a sales tax.
"School facilities contribute to an environment of increased student achievement," Patterson says. "We continue our efforts to provide an optimal learning environment."
Weaver Middle received two new wings, and principal Pam Carswell agrees it's made a difference.
"On bad weather days, nobody was outside coming in to go to lunch or changing classes," says Carswell. "It just makes a more inclusive type of environment for learning."
Meantime Woolfolk says Weaver Middle is relishing the success.
"This just certifies that we've come together as a community--as teachers, as parents, a students and we've done all the intervention strategies that are necessary," says Woolfolk.
But they're also staying focused on keeping their status in the future.
The Howard Middle Schools is also off the state's Needs Improvement list for schools that have missed AYP for two years or more.14 Bibb schools were listed as "distinguished," which means they have met AYP standards 3 or more years in a row.
Other Central Georgia schools also joined the list.
They are:
Baldwin County, Midway Elementary;
Dodge County, South Dodge Elementary;
Dooly County, Dooly County Elementary and Dooly County Middle School;
Hancock County, Lewis Elementary;
Macon County, Macon County Elementary;
Peach County, Byron Elementary;
Putnam County, Putnam County High;
Wilkinson County, Wilkinson County Elementary and Wilkinson County Middle School;
Dublin City, Moore Street Elementary.
