So Much For "It Can't Be Done."

This school didn't just meet AYP, it met the 100 percent proficiency mark.

"We think of MSA as the floor, as sort of the basics of what all students should be doing," Principal Irene Kordick said. "We shoot for the ceiling."

School In Ocean City Nails Its Target Washington Post

I wonder how many other schools have achieved 100 percent proficiency or thereabouts -- and why it took the mainstream news so long to find these kinds of examples, given how, er, proficient they have been at finding examples of failure.

Comments

[john thompson]

Alex,

I got a scoop for you. When I get home and let my dog out, I predict that he will pee on some shrubs. Perhaps that's too normal for the OKC press, but you could spread the word in Chicago.

But just in case an editor asks why certain stories are important, I've got to ask: why is it news that an affluent White school, or presitigious magnet schools, have reached 100% profieciency. A better issue is why would an outstanding school even be concerned about its NCLB numbers. The article stressed progressive approaches that are being endangered by NCLB. When a principal does not give in to educational malpractice, that is news?

I'd agree that the news has been "proficient" in documenting failures of NCLB, as if that took any great slouthing. But unless blogging has really made you a much less nice person, I don't understand your sarcasm. There has also been truly great journalism and educational research and analysis about the law's failures.

[Working Student]

The schools uses a "relentless and consistent" curriculum and has a "focus on getting the children to talk." Why aren't the other 1,454 public schools in Maryland taking lessons from Ocean City Elementary?

Of course there are flaws with NCLB, but those principles of education would make a world of difference in every school across the country.

http://booksandsuits.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-post.html