Some area schools not meeting standards

Eight schools in Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties failed to meet progress standards set by the federal education law No Child Left Behind, though the performance in the three districts outpaced many districts statewide.

In Henderson County, 76 percent of schools made the standard, called Adequate Yearly Progress. Seven out of nine Transylvania schools made AYP and five of six Polk schools passed.

Test results released Monday covered math scores in elementary schools and reading and math in high schools. The testing standards require schools to evaluate groups based on race, family income, English proficiency and other factors.

Henderson County schools that fell short were Fletcher and Hillandale elementary schools, Rugby Middle School, North Henderson High School and Balfour Education Center. In Transylvania, Brevard Elementary School and Davidson River School fell short.

For the most part, the schools missed by a small margin.

Polk County High met 12 of 13 target goals, but every goal must be met to make AYP. Brevard Elementary missed 11 of 13 goals and Davidson River School missed one of three.

In Henderson County, Fletcher Elementary made nine out of 10 target goals, Hillandale Elementary made 13 of 15 and Rugby Middle made 14 of 15. North Henderson High made 12 out of 13, and Balfour Education Center met one of three goals.

Schools that failed to make AYP two years in a row are required to offer parents of students enrolled the chance to transfer to another school.

Across North Carolina, the standards were tough for school districts to meet. In Durham County, only 17 percent of schools made AYP. In Wake, 24 percent passed, and in Orange County, 33 percent made the mark.