Documents for August 2015

Priority schools: 2012-14

The Arkansas Department of Education has identified 46 Arkansas schools as "priority schools," meaning they were the lowest achieving 5 percent of schools in the state over a three-year period, 2012-14, on state Benchmark and End-of-Course math and literacy tests. To be removed from the list, the schools must meet annual achievement goals and graduation goals for two consecutive years on new exams that are replacing the discontinued state tests.

Fayetteville lawsuit

A lawsuit challenging the validity of a Fayetteville ordinance set for a Sept. 8 special election.

Focus schools: 2012-14

The Arkansas Department of Education has identified 105 Arkansas schools as "focus schools," which are the 10 percent of the state's public schools that have the largest achievement gaps between student groups on state Benchmark and End-of-Course exams over three years: 2012, 2013 and 2014. The gap that is measured is the one between the "Targeted Achievement Gap Group," or TAGG group, and the students who are not in that group, the non-TAGG students. The TAGG group is made up of students who are from low-income families, have disabilities or are learning English as a second language. To be removed from the list, schools must meet annual achievement and graduation goals for two consecutive years on new exams that are replacing the Benchmark and End of Course exams.

Ellington