More Chesterfield County schools met all of their 2010 annual goals under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, according to data released recently by the South Carolina Department of Education. Nine schools in Chesterfield County met all of their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals in 2010, compared to seven in 2009.

Making their AYP goals are Chesterfield-Ruby Middle, Edwards Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, McBee Elementary, McBee High, Pageland Elementary, Petersburg Primary, Plainview Elementary, and Ruby Elementary.

Most South Carolina schools have either 17 or 21 federal goals, and falling short on even one means that they do not meet AYP and thus move toward possible sanctions.

Superintendent Dr. John E. Williams said that the improvement in the number of schools that have made AYP is especially gratifying in the midst of the budgetary woes that have faced the district recently.

“It’s a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our school staffs, as well as the dedication and hard work of our students and their families,” Williams said. “I’m proud of the results and we will continue to look for even more ways to improve the results.”

Pageland Elementary Principal Jim Heffner said that he is proud of the efforts of his staff and students.

“We changed our curriculum and teacher training along with designing engaging work for our students,” Heffner said. “Meeting 100 percent of our goals is a testament to the commitment of our entire school community to create a learning environment with high expectations for everyone.”

“We are very happy and glad the hard work of the students, parents and teachers has resulted in Petersburg Primary making AYP,” Principal Marcus Sutton added.

Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Principal Dr. Andrea Hampton pointed out that much of the statewide testing came on the heels of tragedy in within the school family.

“I feel truly blessed that our labor throughout the year was not in vain,” she said.

Meeting AYP is a result of hard work by everyone, according to McBee Elementary Principal Dr. David Nutt. He added that hard work includes staff development, teacher lesson planning, parental support, motivated students, district office and school board leadership, and a support staff that helps create and maintain a positive academic and social environment for our students.

“Words can not describe how proud I am for the teachers, parents, students, and support staff (here),” Nutt said.

Plainview Elementary Principal Beth Melton also said that the hard work of a lot of people helped lead to the success in meeting AYP.

“The students, parents, teachers, staff, and administration of the school and district helped contribute to our success,” Melton said.

Kim Gaskins, principal at Edwards Elementary, said that she is elated to have met their AYP goals.

“This accomplishment shows the dedication and commitment of the teachers, students, and parents,” Gaskins said.

Beth Suggs, the principal of Ruby Elementary, agreed. “Ruby Elementary has once again met AYP, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff, students, parents and community,” she said.

Next year, the percentage of S.C. elementary and middle school students who must score proficient on math and English Language Arts tests in order to meet those goals will jump from about 58 percent to nearly 80 percent. And unless Congress changes the law, by 2014 all students – including students who are poor, speak limited English or have learning disabilities – must meet all state targets on math and English Language Arts tests.