U.S. to Pilot New Gauge Of 'Growth'. (cover story)

This article reports that U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has announced a pilot program that will let some states use what are known as growth models to evaluate the success of schools and districts under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. To make adequate yearly progress, the law currently requires schools and districts to meet annual targets for the percentages of students who score at the proficient level or above on state reading and mathematics tests in any given year. Secretary Spellings announced the pilot program, for up to 10 states, during the annual meeting of the ccsso, held in Richmond, Virginia. States must apply for the program by February 17 if they want to use the new evaluation methods for the current school year. INSET: Gauging Growth..