2006-2007 Report Card - Phillipston Memorial

Overview:
This report card contains information required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act for our school and district including: teacher qualifications; student achievement on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS); and school/district accountability.

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to educate the individual student using the student's unique learning style and abilities. We are preparing the student to face the challenges of living, working, and succeeding in an ever changing and culturally diverse world. We strive to provide for our pupils an environment that is accepting of differences. We nurture the child's positive self-image.

Data Definitions

Enrollment - This information reflects the public school enrollment on October 1, 2006.

Race/Ethnicity:

African American or Black. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Native American. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

Multi-race, Non-Hispanic A person selecting more than one racial category and non-Hispanic.

White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

Selected Populations:

Limited English Proficient: A student whose first language is a language other than English who is unable to perform ordinary classroom work in English is identified as limited English proficient.

Low Income: An indication of whether a student meets ANY ONE of the following definitions of low income:

1. The student is eligible for free or reduced price lunch; or
2. The student receives Transitional Aid to Families benefits; or
3. The student is eligible for food stamps

Special Education: Students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

First Language Not English:Students who first language learned or used by the parent/guardian with the child was not English.

Educator Data - Educator information is as of October 1, 2006.

Percent of teachers licensed in the area in which teaching: The percentage of teachers with Preliminary, Initial, or Professional licensure (all teaching staff, including long-term substitutes) in the area in which they are teaching. Charter schools are not required to hire licensed teachers.
Percentage of core academic classes taught by highly-qualified teachers: The percentage of staff, measured in "full-time equivalency", teaching in core academic areas, that meet the NCLB definition of highly-qualified. To meet the definition, teachers must possess a valid Massachusetts teaching license at the Preliminary, Initial, or Professional level AND demonstrate subject matter competency in the areas they teach. The core academic areas are defined as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography. NCLB subject matter competence requirements are applied differently to those who teach at different levels. For more information on the definition and requirements of highly-qualified, please see http://www.doe.mass.edu/nclb/hq/hq_memo.html.
High-Poverty Schools: Schools in the bottom quartile statewide by low-income percentage.
Low-Poverty Schools: Schools in the top quartile statewide by low-income percentage.

MCAS Results- Spring 2006 Results

Performance Level Definitions

(P+) Above Proficient (Grade 3) - Students demonstrate mastery of challenging subject matter and construct solutions to challenging problems.
(A) Advanced (Grades 4-8, 10) - Students demonstrate a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of rigorous subject matter and provide sophisticated solutions to complex problems.
(P) Proficient - Students demonstrate a solid understanding of challenging subject matter and solve a wide variety of problems.
(NI Needs Improvement - Students demonstrate a partial understanding of subject matter and solve some simple problems.
(W/F) Warning/Failing - Students demonstrate a minimal understanding of subject matter and do not solve simple problems.

*	First-year LEP students are not included in performance level or CPI results, but are counted as participants in AYP. See http://www.doe.mass.edu/nclb/reportcard/aboutdata.html for details.
**	AYP Participation Rates are calculated using the AYP participation rules. See the School Leaders' Guide to the 2006 Cycle IV Accountability and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Reports posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sda/ayp/cycleIV for details.

Student Subgroup Definitions

Students with Disabilities:(same as Special Education), Limited English Proficient, Race/Ethnicity, Low income - See definitions under Enrollment.
Migrant: An indication of whether an individual or a parent/guardian accompanying an individual maintains primary employment in one or more agricultural or fishing activities on a seasonal or other temporary basis and establishes a temporary residence for the purposes of such employment.
Formerly Limited English Proficient: A student who is formerly limited English Proficient (FLEP) has transitioned out of LEP status during the current school year or within the past two school years.
Title I: Student receives Title I services.