RSG | Press Page: Laggers include Beardsley, Columbus

Worst case scenario, 108 schools are in danger of failing to make adequate progress for three straight years or more in the 2007-08 school year, according to a report the state Board of Education will review today.

"This is just the beginning," Commissioner of Education Betty J. Sternberg said of the report.

This year, six schools are on the list — having failed to make sufficient progress toward the goal of 100 percent of students reaching proficiency in math and reading for five consecutive

years. The list is down from eight schools in 2004-05. Two schools — one in New Haven and Hartford — scored high enough to avoid restructuring.

Schools on the list for five consecutive years must replace their staff, hand the school over to the state or make other major reforms.

Columbus and Beardsley have already done that. Both replaced principals in 2003, have a significant percentage of new teachers, new curricula and help from outside sources, including the state and local colleges.

Still, just 43 percent of Beardsley and 28 percent of Columbus fourth-graders met proficiency levels in reading on the 2004 Connecticut Mastery Tests, compared with a state average of 77 percent.

As she did last year, Sternberg will recommend the state infuse the troubled schools with $20 million.

"These targeted areas do not constitute a buffet," Sternberg said. "They are a full-course meal. If we want to see significant improvement all of these areas should move ahead in concert."

Sternberg wants the money to lower class sizes, hire more staff, expand the school day and year and provide more technology, parent training and preschool opportunities.

Last year, Sternberg asked for $23.8 million to help the lagging schools, of which, $7.1 million would have gone to Beardsley and Columbus. Instead, Bridgeport got $125,000 in federal school improvement funds for each school.

The state provided the schools with professional development, on-site technical assistance, the use of highly trained retired principals to coach staff and a state review of curriculum taught at the schools.

The state Legislature agreed to budget more money for preschool programs, but did not specifically target schools like Columbus or Beardsley.

While 77 percent of students statewide enter school with preschool experience, just 45 percent of Columbus students and 59 percent of Beardsley students do.

Sternberg said all the proposals made are critical to see dramatic improvement in the schools.