Three schools in Hampton Roads have been denied accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education: Newsome Park Elementary in Newport News; Sedgefield Elementary School in Newport News; and Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk.
Public schools in Virginia receive an accreditation rating each year based on results of tests given during the previous school year. For example, the accreditation rating for school year 2014-2015 is based on the results of tests given during the 2013-2014 school year.
For example, just 38 percent of students at Booker T. Washington are passing the math portion of the SOL, which is just one of the reasons the school is losing accreditation.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Dr. Samuel King wants to reassure parents the school isn’t closing and says leadership is the way to get out of this.
“Stable, strong, effective leadership is very important across schools. If we stay the course, then we will be able to see in increments those improvements,” he says.
With the loss of accreditation, the school division will have to come up with a plan to improve test scores. Parents will also be notified.
School leaders believe things are starting to turn around. Booker T. Washington High School had a 7% increase in their graduation and completion index.
Click here to read more information from the Virginia Department of Education.
