Signed into law in January 2002, NCLB requires states to provide information on schools' and districts' progress toward proficiency by 2014. Each state uses its own standards and assessments to make the annual determinations. Kentucky uses data from the 2011 administration of the Kentucky Core Content Test and submission of alternate portfolios to provide 2011 AYP information for the schools and districts.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the term used in NCLB to refer to the minimum improvement required of each school and district over the course of one year. It is measured at the school and district levels by measuring growth in the percentage of students scoring proficient or above in reading and mathematics and assessing improvement on one "other academic indicator" while testing at least 95 percent of enrolled students and student subpopulations of sufficient size.
NCLB mandates that schools and districts be held accountable for the progress of subgroups—minority students, low-income students, students with disabilities, students with limited-English proficiency (LEP)—in reading and mathematics-- testing in grades 3 through 8 and at least once in each subject in grades 10-12 and rates of participation in testing. Schools also are held accountable for other academic indicators. The Other Academic Indicator differs depending on the grade level of the school or district.
Elementary and Middle School Level:
1. Increase percentage Proficient plus Distinguished [P+D%] in combined science, social studies and writing on-demand compared to prior year; or
2. Perform at or above the state average percentage Proficient plus Distinguished [P+D%] in combined science, social studies and writing on-demand plus a confidence interval; or
3. Decrease percentage novice in combined reading, mathematics, science, social studies and writing on-demand compared to the prior year.
High School Level:
1. A graduation rate that is equal to or greater than the annual 2010-2011 reporting goal of 82.32 percent; or
2. A graduation rate that closes the gap between the previous year's graduation rate of a school or district and the graduation rate goal of ninety (90) percent by at least ten (10) percent per year.