Unalaska, AK – Both of Unalaska's schools met the Adequate Yearly Progress standards for the 2008-2009 school year. To meet the standards, a certain percentage of students must pass annual standardized tests produced by each state. Students' proficiency is measured for the language arts and for math. This year, 88 percent of the 3rd through 6th graders and 87 percent of the 7th through 12th graders were proficient in language arts. Superintendent John Conwell said the numbers are the almost exactly same as last year and above levels set by the state.

"The annual measurable objective, the AMO, set by the state this year was 77.81 percent, so we were will above that," he said. "And I think we stacked up with the other schools around the state that made AYP. I think we're doing well in that area."

For math, the scores dropped some. Last year 90 percent of 3rd through 6th graders were proficient in math. This year it dropped to 82 percent. The older students dropped from 84 percent to 82 percent. Conwell says the percent drop equates to about seven students. District employees will be trying to help those individuals. Conwell said they'll also take a look at the new math curriculum the school began using over the past two years to see how it can be modified. Both schools still surpassed the state standard of 66 percent.

All schools in the United States are required to meet AYP standards as part of the "No Child Left Behind" education bill. If they do not meet standards they have to take remedial actions to help their students and add extra programs. The aim of the original legislation was for all students to be proficient by 2014. Conwell said this isn't possible.

"The goal to have all children proficient and at the level of their peers is laudable but how realistic is that? When you have children with disabilities, you have children who may not be speaking English until they arrive here when they're 12, 13, 14 years old."

That goal may change when the education legislation is modified and re-authorized in upcoming years.

In other school news, the new school year starts on August 24. The $4.5 million renovation project should be mostly completed by that time.

"We've got a bright shiny new kitchen, the construction crews have completed some important structural upgrades in our roof area and replaced a significant portion of our roof that was leaking and one of our clearstory walls that was leaking. We have new carpet and flooring through out the building," and new energy efficient lighting, said Conwell.

Some construction will continue into the early school year, but Conwell said it should not disturb the classes.

Also, parents and guardians need to double check their students' immunization records. New regulations require all students from kindergarten to 6th grade to have two chicken pox vaccinations.