Board Approves Alternative Schools Accountability Model

Schools will be assessed on persistence, achievement and growth

"Greensboro, N.C. – Guilford County Schools’ alternative schools will be graded according to the state’s Alternative Schools Progress Model. The model was approved by the Guilford County Board of Education Tuesday night.

The state requires all districts to approve an accountability model for the 2015-16 school year by August 1. At its meeting, the board approved “Option C,” provided by the state, for all alternative schools (SCALE-Greensboro, Pruette SCALE-High Point and High School Ahead Academy) as well as the districts’ four special education schools (Gateway Education Center, Herbin-Metz Education Center, Haynes-Inman Education Center and Christine Joyner Greene Education Center).

“Option C” grades schools based on 20 percent persistence, or percentage of students who remain enrolled in any North Carolina public school through the end of the school year; 20 percent achievement, which will be based off of various test assessments and graduation rates; and 60 percent growth.

The option also assigns schools a change rating, which compares their score to the previous year. Schools will receive a progressing, maintaining or declining score.

The alternative schools do not receive a state-assigned Performance Grade because of the unique educational needs that they serve.

GCS’ special education schools will test another model over the next school year with the intent of replacing the state option with a local option to better evaluate the quality of education provided by those schools. In many cases the students have significant disabilities and are exempt from traditional assessments.

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina, serves nearly 72,200 K-12 students at 127 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens who are prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com."

- A Press Release