The finalized results recently arrived on the county’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports from the Georgia Department of Education, and Polk School District can certainly be proud of the results.

As required under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, each of Polk’s schools, along with the district as a whole, is evaluated on year-to-year student achievement based on statewide assessments. 8 of Polk’s 10 schools made AYP this year, and Superintendent Marvin Williams credits the accomplishment with everyone involved.

“We are making progress as we continue to put forth effort,” he said. “Everyone is doing their part and our kids and teachers are showing that they are just as bright as other students and teachers across the United States.”

According to an update presented at October’s regular PSD board meeting, all elementary schools in Polk School District met AYP measurements for reading/language arts, mathematics, and attendance.

Van Wert Elementary School will remain in Needs Improvement 1 for 2009-2010 school term due to Goodyear’s previous AYP status, but will be removed from that list if AYP is met in the spring.

Cedartown High School and Cedartown Middle School met the AYP measurements in all areas, and do not advance in their Needs Improvement status. Both schools will remain in their respective categories until AYP is met in the spring.

Rockmart High School and Rockmart Middle School did not meet the AYP measurements, but Williams believes that both schools are on the right track to succeed in the coming months.

“We are extremely proud of our students and teachers,” he said. “But of course, our goal for next year is 100 percent of our schools making AYP.”

The Polk School District is making great strides to meet that goal, said Laurie Atkins, through various programs like Intercession and Renaissance, as well as a recent district-wide transition to ‘standards based education’.

“Intercession is a chance for struggling students to receive extra assistance from teachers before their next evaluation,” Williams commented. “We really want to focus on those areas where we’ve been unsuccessful, and this is a good way to do that.”

These students are invited to attend scheduled workshops that allow them to work one-on-one with teachers and discuss ‘problem areas’ before their next evaluation. Intercession was most recently held this month, and the administration has seen stellar results from these events.

Renaissance takes the incentive program from the business world and applies it to education in an attempt to motivate all students to strive for excellence with a new commitment to their academic endeavors.

While the Renaissance program has been adopted countywide, each school’s theme and reward system varies. The purpose of Renaissance is to recognize students who are achieving academic excellence with tangible incentives, rewards, and recognition to promote academic excellence.

Both Williams and Atkins are optimistic and cites the improved AYP scores this year as proof that the program is indeed effective in improving the motivation and morale of students and teachers alike.

“Renaissance is efforts-based,” said Atkins. “It is ultimately a recognition and rewards program for both teachers and students.

Polk Schools will be expected again to meet and exceed AYP standards for next year, and with accomplishment percentages on an ever-increasing scale (all schools must meet a 100 percent pass rate by 2013), schools in Polk County will be expected to perform even better next year. Through existing programs and the continued effort of teachers and students, however, schools in Polk County are certainly on the right track.