Colt Andrews on state school choice list

BRISTOL - Just days after the Bristol Warren Regional School District touted its improved state test scores, it received word that Colt Andrews School must offer parents the choice of sending their child to a different school as a result of low test scores.

Colt Andrews is one of 20 schools in the state to receive that black mark, despite improved Rhode Island Standards test scores in every subject area.

"Surprised wouldn't be the word. I was shocked," said Dr. Mara of his reaction when he learned of the state department of education's ruling.

According to Dr. Mara, Colt Andrews met all 21 of its state-mandated targets this year, but because the state computes rolling averages, they were put on the school choice list. Dr. Mara has requested that the department of education review the status of the school.

The state target for the special needs math score is 62. Last year, Colt Andrews scored 58.8. This year, the group improved to 64, but based on their rolling average, the state target was missed by six-tenths of a point.

"But the students in that small subgroup not only met their target this year, they exceeded it," Dr. Mara said, adding that a system that penalizes an improving school is a flawed system. "It's kind of ludicrous. If it weren't for this one target, Colt Andrews would be considered high performing."

Missing targets

According to Elliot Krieger of the Rhode Island Department of Education, the seven target areas of math skills, math concepts, problem solving, reading comprehension, reading analysis, writing effectiveness and writing conventions must be met for any school's subgroup that has at least 15 students. At Colt Andrews, these targets must be met for its white population, disabled students and economically disadvantaged students.

Last year's results indicated a failure to meet math and reading targets for Colt Andrews' students with disabilities. The school failed to meet two of the 21 targets. Not all of this year's data is available, but as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Mr. Krieger said Colt Andrews remains on the preliminary list.

"It is conceivable that it could change," he said.

According to Mr. Krieger, of the 27 schools that received preliminary notice last year, three were removed from the list by October, when official notices are given. But federal law requires schools to act on school choice before all the data is available.

If parents wish to act, the district must provide them with at least two alternative schools to choose from within the district.

"But on the other hand it doesn't mean they [the parents] can chose any school they want," Mr. Krieger said.

No alternative school can be on the "need of improvement" list and federal law says the district must accommodate any parent wishing to send their child elsewhere.

Under President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, 12 Rhode Island schools were forced to offer school choice last year. But on a national level, Mr. Krieger said few parents have exercised this option. It more or less acts as a wake-up call for the district.

Parent perspective

Liz Lombardi has sons entering first and third grade at Colt Andrews — both of whom formerly attended Byfield School — and it will take more than a low test score for her to lose faith in the school.

She said while buildings aren't maintained as well as they should be, Bristol Warren schools are providing her children with a strong education. "Both my boys went to Byfield. They had great teachers and they've done fantastic," she said.

Ms. Lombardi doubts she would ever use the school choice option. But others might consider it.

Lynette Warden's son will attend Colt Andrews for the first time. Ms. Lynette is less confident about the school district.

"I'm concerned of course, because they're [Colt Andrews] on the list. However, I'm mainly concerned with the instability of the school system — how fast things are changing," Ms. Warden said.

Knowing very little about her first grader's new school and its placement on the school choice list has Ms. Warden nervous. "If I find I'm not satisfied, I would consider using school choice," Ms. Warden said.

Defending Colt Andrews

Colt Andrews principal Stewart Armstrong calls the situation "absurd." Mr. Armstrong said Colt Andrews posted the highest math problem-solving score in the district and showed significant improvements in all other categories.

"We were shocked and unhappy. It's a fault in the law. The law shouldn't be slapping schools that are improving," Mr. Armstrong said.

If Colt Andrews remains on the list of schools that must offer choice, Mr. Armstrong thinks parents will support their child's school.

If demanded, Dr. Mara said space would be the main factor in providing parents with alternative school choices — space that is already tight.

"These kids are in a great school with great scores. I don't know why any parent would want to send their kid anywhere else," Dr. Mara said.

Test scores on the rise

Despite showing improvements in all seven categories on the Rhode Island New Standards Reference Exam, Colt Andrews School has been deemed by the state as a "school in need of improvement." Beginning this fall parents of those attending Colt Andrews could transfer their child to another school within the district. Here are the 2004 testing results at Colt Andrews. The first figure notes the category's score and the second shows the comparison to 2003 results.

* Math skills: 84 (+8)

* Math concepts: 57 (+28)

* Problem solving: 56 (+40)

* Reading-basic understanding: 79 (+7)

* Reading-analysis/interpretation: 73 (+13)

* Writing-effectiveness: 84 (+16)

* Writing-conventions: 65 (+6)

BY JASON TURCOTTE

jturcotte@eastbaynewspapers.com

Copyright © 2003, The East Bay Newspapers