South Vienna Elementary, for the 09 - 10 school year has approximately 540 students of which about 65 students could be provided Supplemental Educational Services.  Of the total student population, to date none have chosen to participate in Public School Choice or Supplemental Educational Services.  Please see the letter below for schools available for Public School Choice.

August 2009

Dear Parent,

     The Ohio Department of Education has identified South Vienna Elementary, as needing “school improvement”.  The No Child Left Behind Act that President Bush signed into law requires school districts to identify school buildings within their district that have not made sufficient progress in one or more areas for at least two years in a row.  This year, South Vienna Elementary is in Year Two of School Improvement.

     Sufficient progress is defined by both State Law and the No Child Left Behind Act and measures three components of academic growth in elementary schools known as “Adequate Yearly Progress”(AYP).  Those components are:  Reading and Mathematics (both test scores and the participation rates are counted); and Attendance Rate.  State and Federal laws set target goals for these components and a school must meet every goal in order to meet AYP.  The participation rate goal on all state tests is 95%.  The goal for the attendance rate is 93%.  Building goals for reading and mathematics are based on the results of Ohio’s Achievement Test (OAT). 

     A certain percentage of students, in each of ten possible student subgroups, must reach grade-level proficiency in both reading and mathematics for the school to meet AYP.  NCLB requires specific student subgroups to meet their goals for a school to meet AYP. If any group does not meet AYP in reading or mathematics, then the entire school will not meet AYP. SVE did not meet AYP for two of the subgroups for two consecutive years and therefore will be in School Improvement Year 2.  To exit School Improvement, a school has to meet AYP for two consecutive years in the component that it originally missed, and not be in improvement for any other component.

     South Vienna Elementary results are listed below for the 2008 – 2009 school year:  • Math Participation – Met;  • Reading Participation – Met;  • Attendance – Met;  • Reading Proficiency – Not Met;  • Math Proficiency – Not Met

     The SVE 2008 – 2009 Local Report Card will be released in August reflecting final test results taken in the spring of 2009.  You will be apprised of the results in your school newsletter or the results can be viewed on the Ohio Department of Education website, http://www.ode.state.oh.us.

    Public School Choice, NCLB section 116, is defined as allowing SVE students to attend another elementary school that is not in School Improvement status with transportation provided as necessary.  This means that you may choose for your child to attend Rolling Hills Elementary or Northridge Elementary since they are not in School Improvement or a school in a neighboring district. If you are interested in a neighboring elementary school that would not be in school improvement please call Becky Pearson, Assistant Superintendent, at 325-7615 for academic achievement information.  If you select Public School Choice, you must return the enclosed form to the address on the attached flyer no later than August 14, 2009 by 3:00 p.m.

      Another option you may select is Supplemental Educational Services (SES).  SES is defined as permitting SVE students to receive after school tutoring in reading or mathematics by a private provider at no cost to you.  Priority will be given to students who receive a free or reduced lunch.  Please be aware these tutoring sessions are not supervised or affiliated with the Northeastern Local School District.  Also, please know that you are responsible for all transportation to and from these after school tutoring services.  A list of SES providers may be found at http://www.ode.state.oh.us then search SES.  A list of SES providers is also available in the principal’s office.  You may sign up for the tutoring by completing the enclosed form and returning to the address on the attached flyer no later than August 14, 2009 by 3:00 p.m. Additional opportunities to sign up for SES will be given to you at the school’s office prior to the beginning of school for a limited time. 

      Improving the academic issues that cause a school to go into School Improvement requires parental involvement.  Parents can work with schools in many ways to help increase academic achievement, no matter how old their children are.  Ideas to help improve your child’s academic performance include:  allow for plenty of study time at home, teach the importance of education to your child, make sure your child gets to school on time every day and talk with your child’s school and district about ideas for improvement.  SVE is happy to provide several intervention programs such as Title I tutoring and additional tutoring after school.

     The No Child Left Behind Act describes what the State and the district must do when a school is in School Improvement.  The school district is required to provide this notice to parents, explaining why a school is in improvement and giving ideas for how parents can help.  The State also provides support and technical assistance that districts or schools may request to help them meet their academic achievement goals.

      We welcome you to stay at SVE to receive an excellent education.  If you opt for one of the programs presented above, please be aware that you may select either Public School Choice OR SES, not both. 

      Please contact me if you have any questions about this information.

Sincerely,