For the second year since major changes were made to Virginia’s school accreditation process, only a handful of Dan River Region schools changed accreditation status even as the numbers rose across the commonwealth.
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More than 4 in 5 Virginia schools received full accreditation, a modest boost from previous year that reflects a rise in test scores and a new state law that eases accreditation standards for schools that have strong track records.
It was also denied accreditation last school year.
VDOE says all schools are fully accredited in 53 of the state’s 132 divisions, including Appomattox, Bland, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Roanoke, and Wythe Counties, along with the cities of Salem, Radford and Galax.
Each remaining school reached full accreditation by achieving at least a minimum of 75 percent in English, a 70 percent in math, 70 percent in science, and 70 percent in history.
He also said the tests were just one of several measures of school effectiveness.
“I hope these results will encourage teachers, principals and other educators in all of our schools as they strive to help students meet Virginia’s high expectations for learning and achievement”, said Steven R. Staples, superintendent of public instruction.
Sinai Elementary, also with Halifax County Middle School, has an accreditation status that is “to be determined”.
Fluvanna, Greene and Louisa county school divisions were among those to receive full accreditation. The new law and the provisions of each state’s plan to implement ESSA go into full effect with the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
A dozen schools in Fairfax County, home to the state’s largest school system, did not receive full accreditation, down from 15.
“While we welcome accountability, we applaud the state in its efforts to think beyond these tests so that we can more broadly assess the academic accomplishment and future-readiness of our students”, King said. Under federal accountability standards, Jefferson-Houston has been designated a Priority School. Those schools retain their designation for two years, unless they are subsequently identified as Priority schools or no longer receive federal Title I funding.
Three Alexandria public schools – John Adams Elementary School, William Ramsay Elementary School and T. C. Williams High School – are Partially Accredited: Warned School – Pass Rate for the 2016-2017 school year.
29 schools have had their accreditation denied – including seven in Newport News, six in Norfolk, and another seven in Richmond. “These show gains in reading and math skills for students and an improvement in the percentage of students who express enthusiasm for learning”.
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Focus schools (comprising 10 percent of Title I schools selected on the basis of achievement gaps) must employ state-approved, school-improvement coaches.
