By Trent Moore
The Cullman Times
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The Cullman City Schools system received an “A+” from the state this week, according to the latest Adequate Yearly Progress reports.
The system as a whole met AYP standards, which are set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The annual report factors reading scores, math scores, attendance rates and graduation rates to determine how well school systems are faring. It also looks at the data to determine if the schools are making gradual improvements in those areas.
In addition to the city system as a whole, every separate school — Cullman Middle School, Cullman High School, East Elementary School, West Elementary School and Cullman City Primary School — also met all AYP standards for 2009-2010.
Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris said testing scores were very high this year across the board, which helped the system reach the AYP benchmarks.
“We actually had record high achievement this year, and we are so thankful for our student’s high achievement scores,” Harris said.
The system’s graduation rate also improved, rising from 87.3 percent in 2008-2009 to 89 percent in 2009-2010.
“We’re all working together to meet these standards and are very pleased,” Harris said.
Last year, Cullman High School failed to meet AYP standards due to a slight dip in the graduation rate — though the rate was still well above comparable systems. The rate slid from 90.37 percent in 2007-2008, to 87.3 percent in 2008-2009.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
