Parents deem scoring unfair

Marc Schoder: PNT staff writer

Some Portales parents feel federally designated proficiency levels used to measure student performance are unfair.

The proficiency standards, which are mandated by President Bush’s No Child Left Behind, Act makes the schools responsible for the students’ performance.

Test results released Monday by the state Department of Education indicated Portales failed to meet “adequate yearly progress” at all grade levels tested — most in the special education subgroup.

“I agree with what Steve Harris (PJHS principal) said in the newspaper the other day that they should judge the kids on an individual basis,” said Diana Lucero, who has one child in junior high and one in elementary school.

“My kids are doing great in school, however they could be challenged more,” Lucero said. “The standards are too high to be met, but the challenge is good for the kids.”

Lucero believes the new Portales Schools superintendent will have his work cut out for him.

Diane Terry, the parent of a Portales Junior High student, believes the testing standards are not accurate.

“The standards are more set for city kids; not rural areas,” Terry said.

She believes kids are missing the three Rs, reading, writing and arithmetic.

“I would like to see the school go back to teaching the true basics,” said Terry, who feels schools are working harder in this day and time. “The parents need to keep kids focused on school.”

The ultimate goal of AYP is to have all students proficient in reading and math by the year 2014.