Kyrene leads state in early effort to ‘Leave No Child Behind’

By Tony Ku

Some school districts have hit the panic button.

For the Kyrene School District, however, using the panic button would require two security keys turned simultaneously along with a hand print analysis.

While most districts were still scrambling to create their implementation plans, Kyrene outlined its map for meeting the federally mandated “No Child Left Behind” program.

“We took into account the concerns of various stakeholders when putting together this program,” said Karin Crider, spokeswoman for the Kyrene district.

Under the “No Child Left Behind” program, there are five goals and indicators that the district is required to meet, which include ensuring student achievement, having a highly qualified staff, pushing English proficiency, promoting safe schools and preparing students to reduce high school dropout rates.

The program also calls for each district to outline how it will meet those five goals.

But Kyrene has done more than outline, in key areas, they’ve been implementing.

Some areas that Kyrene has begun to address include Title IV, which helps to promote safe schools.

The district did this by obtaining a federal grant four months ago that would help Kyrene form partnerships with local agencies designed to promote safer school environments.

To better student achievements and combat high school drop out rates that was outlined in Title II of the program, the district utilized teacher mentor programs, improved teacher training and have enhanced the curriculum for students.

Board member Slade Mead said he was impressed with the program’s progression.

“It’s amazing how well we have a grasp of this,” he said. “There are a lot of other districts out there struggling to figure out what they need to do.”

Next step for the district will be a submission of its proposal to the State Education Department.

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