NCLB Subgroups

NCLB requires that 95 percent of all students AND 95 percent of all subgroups participate in testing in order for a school or district to meet its Academic Yearly Progress. If those participation rates are not met, no matter what the scores, the entire school will be considered as failing AYP and labeled as "program improvement," or PI, status.

In California, a subgroup size is defined as 100 students with valid test scores, or 50 students in those cases in which the subgroup constitutes at least 15 percent of the students at the school with valid test scores.

Subgroups are defined as:

• White
• African American
• Latino
• Asian/Pacific Islander
• American Indian
• Socioeconomic status (students who receive free or reduced priced meals)
• Special Education
• English Learners

A
note about EL students...

Districts must show that 51 percent of
their EL students have gained at least on proficiency level from the year
before. Proficiency levels are: beginner; early intermediate; intermediate;
early advanced; and advanced.

This number increases to 64 percent by 2013-2014.
(Note: The 64 percent level was reached by 25 percent of schools in 2003-2004.)

If a district receives Title III subpart 1 funding,
and also fails to make AYP two years in a row, then:

The District must modify the curriculum, program and
method of instruction, OR

Title III funding must be reviewed and the district
may be required to "replace personnel responsible for the failure."