The results were expected, according to the Department – a result of the system’s reliance on a single test and ever-rising targets. Nonetheless, they point to a slow rate of progress among many Maine schools.
“Our schools are not doing worse this year than last year, but you wouldn’t know that from the way the federal AYP lists are calculated,” Bowen said. “This is why we, like most other states, have requested flexibility to do accountability differently. We expect to hear back shortly, and we think positively, from the U.S. Department of Education.”
