Hopi Jr/Sr High makes AYP for 2007-2008

POLACCA, Ariz. - Hopi Jr/Sr High School has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2007-2008 school year. Hopi High Principal Glenn Gilman was recently informed that Hopi Jr/Sr High School made AYP by the Bureau of Indian Education's (BIE) Acting Director Kevin Skenandore.

AYP is based on three levels of achievement: Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) is based on the percentage of seventh, eighth and 10th grade students passing the Arizona Instrument Measure Standards (AIMS) testing, with benchmarks at 40 percent of students passing in math and 48.3 percent in reading. Gilman said 42.2 percent of the students passed math and 56.9 percent passed reading.

The graduation rate must meet at least 71 percent of students passing within four years. Hopi High School had an 80 percent graduation rate last year.

The percent tested requires 95 percent of seventh, eighth and 10th graders combined must be present for AIMS testing. About 98 percent took the test at Hopi Jr/Sr High School.

Hopi High has made AYP for four consecutive years and six of the past seven years. Hopi High is one of 184 BIE schools. One out of three BIE schools made AYP.

Students, all staff members, parents and the community working together has made it possible to achieve AYP said Gilman.

"Everyone is responsible for making AYP," Gilman said, "We are very proud that we worked very hard to make AYP."

In the past years, students and staff have been rewarded in different ways. The staff sometimes gets a bonus around Christmas time, depending if the school's funding allows for it.

"It's really the students who are most of the equation on making AYP," said Gilman. "We would like to do something special for the students."

On Oct. 17, Hopi Jr/Sr High rewarded its students with a concert and a cookout.