BELLE FOURCHE SCHOOL DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT 2009

							                                   BELLE FOURCHE SCHOOL DISTRICT
                                          ACCOUNTABILITY
                                            REPORT 2009

The Belle Fourche School District is required by the Federal Law-No Child Left Behind to inform parents and the
community regarding student progress based on the annual tests given to students in grades 3-8 and 11. These tests
measure reading, math and science performance and is based on set criteria that the federal and state require districts
and individual schools to meet. Attached you will find the Belle Fourche School District overall report, South Park
Elementary (3rd & 4th grade report), Belle Fourche Middle School (5th -8th grade report), Belle Fourche High School
(11th grade report) and the Belle Fourche Education Connection Academy (alternative school) report. Included in the
elementary and middle school reports are State results for 4thand 8th graders who took the National Assessment of
Educational Standards (NAEP) for reading and math. This provides you with information as to how students across
South Dakota compare with 4thand 8th grade students across the nation.

First, I would like to start with the positive information which involves the entire district. Last year reading was a
deficiency for the elementary, middle school, high school and alternative school which put the district on “Alert” status
for School Improvement. This year, I am proud to inform you the district made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and
we are no longer on School Improvement. This is a wonderful achievement for our district. See the District 2009
report card. We are, however, in school improvement at the middle school for math and reading and the alternative
school for math. Student test scores are consistently improving and we continue to implement programs that increase
student achievement. We are committed to our students and their academic success.

In order to help you understand what is listed below, I am providing a few facts. The district and individual schools
must have a certain percentage of students score proficient or advanced on the tests and meet criteria set by Federal and
State guidelines. The No Child Left Behind law targets specific percentages that students must meet each year with the
overall goal being 100% of the students across the nation will test proficient or advanced in the areas of reading and
math by the year of 2014.

The district and individual schools must measure student achievement in each of the following subgroups. If any one of
the groups does not meet the percentages set it can cause individual schools or the district to be placed on School
Improvement. In order to be measured, each subgroup must have a minimum of ten (10) students in a group. The
groups are:
           All Students                                                      Limited English Proficient
           White                                                             Students with Disabilities
           Black                                                             Gender-Male and Female
           Asian                                                             Migrant
           Native American                                                   Attendance or Graduation Rate
           Economically Disadvantaged
The Assessment section contains four categories on each report which are advanced, proficient, basic and below basic.
Students are placed into these category ranges based on their test results. Each report lists the percentage of students
for the district and each building that scored in these ranges. In the Accountability section the district and individual
buildings must list the participation rate and the percentage of students who scored in the advanced and proficient range
which must meet or exceed the percentage range set by the State. If not, the district or building will be placed into
School Improvement status. The reports also list School Improvement status by district and building,
Graduation/Attendance rates and Highly Qualified Teacher status. At the bottom of each page there is additional
information to help you read the reports.

For more information regarding the Report Card for Belle Fourche School District check our website:
www.bellefourche.k12.sd.us and click on the NCLB Report Card link. If you would prefer to personally visit with
someone, you may contact me or your child’s building principal.

Sincerely,


Steven A. Willard
Superintendent
Belle Fourche School District