This report is a summary of your school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results. The purpose of AYP is to ensure that all students have reading and mathematics skills that prepare them for the future. Adequate Yearly Progress measures whether each school has met the improvement goals established by No Child Left Behind. For a school to "meet AYP," students in the school must meet goals in three areas: (1) Attendance (for schools without a high school graduating class) or Graduation (for schools with a High School graduating class), (2) Academic Performance, and (3) Test Participation. For CHESTER COMM CS, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) taken by students in Grade 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is used to determine Academic Performance and Test Participation in Reading and Mathematics. To learn more about AYP, click the "About AYP" link at the top of the page.

CHESTER COMM CS met 16 out of 21 AYP targets in 2007-08. Because AYP requires meeting all of the targets, this school did not meet AYP requirements. Since schools that miss even one target "do not meet AYP," this status does not necessarily mean it is a chronically failing school.

For CHESTER COMM CS, the "Did not meet AYP" status means that improvement is needed in:

• Reading Proficiency by the Students Overall group and the Economically Disadvantaged and Black and IEP Special Education student groups.
• Math Proficiency by the IEP Special Education student group.

Safe Harbor is achieved when a subgroup has greatly improved since the previous year — even though it did not meet the state target. (The measure for Safe Harbor improvement is at least a 10% reduction of the percentage of students who scored below Proficient for Reading or Mathematics from last year to this year).

In CHESTER COMM CS, no test performance targets were met by Safe Harbor.

The Pennsylvania Performance Index (PPI) measures growth across all levels of the PSSA, not just Proficient and Non-Proficient. Since this index shows significant growth including growth at the lowest levels, it is a good indication that low performing schools are building a foundation to meet AYP objectives. PPI can be used by schools and districts to demonstrate significant growth and thereby meet AYP targets.

CHESTER COMM CS met AYP targets by PPI in:

• Reading Proficiency of the Latino/Hispanic student group.

When initial AYP results are announced in July each year, schools and districts can correct any coding errors in the data themselves. Also, schools and districts have the opportunity to appeal the AYP rulings through the Pennsylvania Department of Education if they believe their AYP identification was in error for statistical or substantive reasons.

In CHESTER COMM CS, no test performance targets were met by appeal.

This school will need to meet AYP for two years in a row to be considered on track to meet the goal of all students attaining proficiency in Reading and Math by the year 2014. Click the "About AYP" link at the top of the page to learn more about AYP requirements and AYP status levels in Pennsylvania.

There are several ways to get involved in your child's education and to help your child and your child's school succeed.

• Make sure your child is in school: Please make sure your child is attending school every day, including testing days.
• Help your child succeed: The most important requirements of AYP are your child’s achieved proficiency and demonstrate growth in Reading and Mathematics.
  • Work with your child's teacher to help your child succeed in school. Your child's teacher can help you find resources and provide insight and suggestions for you to help your child reach his or her full potential.
  • If your child was tested in Spring 2008, you should receive a printed Parent Report that outlines your child's performance on the Assessment. This report includes educational activities to do with your child and is a good starting point to discuss your child's performance with their teacher. You can also access instructional strategies and educational family activities at www.pagrow.com.
• Get involved: You can join your school's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) or volunteer at your child's school. Contact your child's school for information on other ways to get involved.