By Kristina Schnack Kotlus
Schools and Education Reporter
Stafford County, Va. –– Stafford County Public Schools has received its preliminary 2011-2012 Adequate Yearly Progress results. The AYP is determined by Standard of Learning test scores, but are a function of the No Child Left Behind Act. Scores will continue to be finalized by the Virginia Department of Education over the coming weeks.
Based on their SOL results, all 30 Stafford County Schools are accredited for the 2011-2012 school year. Eleven Stafford Schools made Adequate Yearly Progress. However, a staggering 19 schools did not make their AYP goals. Mountain View, Stafford, and Brooke Point High Schools, T. Benton Gayle, Shirley Heim, A. G. Wright, H.H. Poole, Stafford, Rodney Thompson, Drew, and Dixon-Smith Middle Schools, Anthony Burns, Hartwood, Rocky Run, Conway, Kate Waller Barrett, Widewater, Moncure, and Margaret Brent Elementary Schools did not meet their goals. Stafford schools noted that there are 29 AYP Benchmarks and four of the 19 schools not making AYP missed by one benchmark with an additional seven schools that missed making AYP by two benchmarks.
Overall, Stafford County Public Schools as a whole did not meet AYP.
“We believe that we are providing the necessary supports and resources for improving student performance by emphasizing data analysis to know where our strengths and weaknesses are in our educational program while providing the necessary professional learning so that the quality of instruction meets the needs of every child in Stafford County,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Dr. Chris Quinn.
For some schools, not making AYP has additional implications under No Child Left Behind, which requires sanctions be imposed on schools that receive certain federal funds and do not make AYP for two or more consecutive years in the same content area. Because of this, Widewater, Rocky Run and Falmouth Elementary Schools will be offering school choice to parents for the 2011-2012 school year.
Affected families should receive notice via a letter from the school district.
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
