Parents of

children at Atkinson and Arnco-Sargent Elementary Schools are being notified

other schools in the county, but will await the receipt of test scores

at all Coweta County schools before designating school transfer sites.

All Coweta

County Schools receiving Title I funds met the requirements of Adequate

Yearly Progress, based on Criterion Reference Competency Test scores released

last week by the state Department of Education.

"We are

pleased that our fourth grade students did an outstanding job on the Criterion

Referenced Competency Test this year, and pleased with the great jobs

our teachers and principals have done at those schools," said Superintendent

Peggy Connell.

Jefferson Parkway

and Newnan Crossing Elementary were placed on the "needs improvement"

list not because of test scores, but because state data found that the

schools did not meet the 95 percent participation rate for the CRCT.

"Both

schools' records, however, indicate all students enrolled at testing time

took the test," said the letter going to parents this week.

"We have

appealed to the state, submitting documentation to verify that 100 percent

of the students took the test. A favorable ruling by the state would remove

(both schools) from the 'needs improvement' list. The State Department

of Education pledges a full review of our documentation no later than

Sept. 8. We are hopeful that a response will be received before the end

of this month and, if appropriate, a change in status will be made for

Jefferson Parkway."

Atkinson and

Arnco-Sargent appeared on the "needs improvement" list last

year, and both made adequate yearly progress this year. However, schools

must make Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years before being

removed from this list.

The school

system should report the scores of the receiving schools, enabling parents

to make the best decisions for their students, said the letter sent to

parents this week. "At this time we have not received the test scores

for the eight non-Title I elementary schools in our system, and we are

waiting for a ruling on the appeals made to the State Department as to

the eligibility of Newnan Crossing and Jefferson Parkway to be receiving

schools."

"The Georgia

Department of Education has indicated that all reviews and all scoring

will be completed no later that Sept. 8, 2003. As soon as all scores are

in and all rulings on the appeals received, parents at Arnco-Sargent will

receive a letter indicating the two options for school choice."

Two middle

schools - Smokey Road Middle and Evans Middle - which appeared on the

"needs improvement" list have not been required under the Act

to offer school transfers. Both schools also met Adequate Yearly Progress

requirements in terms of the schools' test scores.