All 13 schools must provide transportation for students wishing to transfer to higher performing schools under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law because they receive federal Title I funds for schools with significant populations of economically disadvantaged children. Some also must provide tutoring services.

Data released Friday show the schools failed to demonstrate they have made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward NCLB goals for two consecutive years.

AYP results now available at http://www.usoe.org for all Utah schools measure schools' competence in complying with NCLB, which holds schools accountable for the performance of all students by tracking standardized-test scores by race, ethnicity and other factors. It requires schools to make adequate yearly progress toward the goal of 100 percent student proficiency in the language arts and math by 2014.

In all, 805, or 87 percent, achieved AYP this year, while 118 schools, or 13 percent, did not. Of those passing, the Office of Education granted 527 AYP status using a "safe harbor" rule that allows educators to factor in indicators of improvement other than standardized test scores, such as average daily attendance. Another 35 schools achieved AYP after successful appeals.

Of the 118 schools that failed, only those receiving Title I funds face sanctions for repeated failures. Others are subject to public scrutiny but little else.

Administrators at some sanctioned schools, such as Principal Deanna Lloyd of J.R. Smith Elementary School in the Wasatch School District, say they have improvement strategies in place that they've already seen succeed.

J.R. Smith had failed AYP's reading standardized test for two consecutive years before passing this year.

To help students, administrators began a "morning fluency clinic," where tutors taught reading comprehension. Those tutors also taught pupils how to read faster.

"We also introduced what we call 'second-dose reading,' '' Lloyd said. A teacher's aide works one-on-one or with small groups to improve reading skills.

"Overall, they get 45 extra minutes of reading a day."

Lloyd hopes these programs will enable J.R. Smith Elementary to clear AYP sanctions next year. Sanctions are lifted once a school achieves AYP for two consecutive years.

On the other hand, sanctions mount for schools that continue to fail AYP.

Two consecutive years of failure mean schools must pay to transport students to higher-performing schools; after three years, they must provide supplemental tutoring services. After failing to achieve AYP for four years in a row, a school faces corrective actions implemented by the district. Those could include replacing staff members or implementing a new curriculum.

If a school fails for five consecutive years, it will be restructured.

Copperview Elementary in the Jordan School District made AYP this year after failing to achieve the two prior years. First-year Principal Brent Shaw says the shortcomings of the past were mainly due to attendance.

To address the situation, Copperview administrators distributed information that emphasized the importance of school attendance.

"There are a lot of single parents and a large homeless population here," he says. "It's really hard to get students to come to school."

Bonneville Elementary in Ogden also made AYP this year, but still faces sanctions due to failing the two prior years.

Principal Scott Robertson would not say how many students transferred last year.

"For the most part, our students stuck with us," he said. "I think that's because we have a great community, and they look at this as their school."

Like at J.R. Smith Elementary, Bonneville teachers have been working with smaller reading groups and individualized learning.

Teachers meet weekly at every grade level to share classroom instruction ideas. Reading and math specialists offer professional training to teachers to enhance skills.

And, Robertson said, students are tested every four to six weeks on the core material to see where they stand, instead of "waiting until the end of the year and crossing our fingers and hoping that our students will pass."

mcronin@sltrib.com

smcfarland@sltrib.com

Sanctioned schools

Davis District

South Clearfield Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

Vae View Elementary: Passed this year; failed the two previous years.

Jordan District

Copperview Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

East Midvale Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

Nebo District

Santaquin School: Has failed for two consecutive years.

Ogden District

Bonneville Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

Dee Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

Lewis Elementary: Has failed for three consecutive years.

San Juan District

Mexican Hat Elementary: Has failed for three consecutive years.

Uintah District

West Jr. High School: Has failed for three consecutive years.

Wasatch District

J.R. Smith Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

Washington District

East Elementary: Passed this year, but failed the two previous years.

West Elementary: Has failed for two consecutive years.