| By Bob Weaver
Calhoun schools are facing some real challenges.
Calhoun students were administered the WESTEST 2 last week, achievement testing that is the standard-bearer used to evaluate the performance of schools in West Virginia.
The results can have some serious consequences for schools with the No Child Left Behind standards still in place.
WESTEST 2 measures math, reading, social studies and science skills for grades three through 12.
In Calhoun County, Calhoun Middle-High School has failed to meet Average Yearly Progress four of the last five years, with AYP mostly based on the WESTEST 2 outcomes.
"Failure two years in a row causes a school to be placed on temporary accreditation," according to Kenna Seal, Director of the state's Office of Education Performance Audits.
Seal says Calhoun Middle-High School is "off the radar" for right now, since the system met Average Yearly Progress for a year, and was taken off probation after failing a state audit.
Calhoun's two elementary schools have met the standards.
Education officials are saying that increased testing standards are placing more schools at risk for flunking.
Principal Karen Kirby said "We have been working very closely with staff, WVDE and RESA-V to create positive and lasting improvements at Calhoun Middle/High School."
Kirby said the school's recent efforts were reported to the school board by the Local School Improvement Council.
The report could not be found on the school system's web site.
Seal said a school that is considered low performing over a 4-6 year period could be assigned a monitor and taken over by the State Board, declare a principal position vacant and appoint a 'will and pleasure' principal to improve the standards.
Last year, Superintendent Roger Propst said he believes in high standards, but he would like to see the system focus on rewarding improved outcomes.
Administrator Carla Taylor has said the main issue with the scoring on WESTEST 2 and the AYP standards is a problem with sub-groups, sometimes missing the cut-off criteria by one or two students.
While the United States continues to fall behind in educational achievement, President Barrack Obama has called for repeal of No Child Left Behind, but so far, the test-heavy law has not received reform traction in Congress.
See WESTEST: CALHOUN HIGH FAILS PROGRESS STANDARDS - Four Of Last Five Years, "Optimistic About Making Improvements," Propst Says
CALHOUN SCHOOLS CHALLENGED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES - SAT Scores, Participation Improve
| 
