August 2004

State Benchmarks and Annual Measurable Objectives for the 2004-2005 School Year

Commissioner Richard P. Mills has established the following State Benchmarks and Annual Measurable Objectives for the 2004-2005 school year.  This information is being provided to assist you in planning for the new school year.

The State Benchmarks for English language arts (ELA) and math and the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) for Grades 4 and 8 Science and High School Graduation Rate remain unchanged from the 2003-04 school year.  Grades 4 and 8 and High School ELA and math AMOs have been increased as required by the plan that the United States Department of Education has approved for New York to meet the accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Boards of Education are required to adopt by October 15 a Local Assistance Plan for any school that fails to achieve its State Benchmark.  Districts and schools that achieve all their State Benchmarks and make Adequate Yearly Progress on all applicable criteria for two consecutive years are eligible for recognition by the Commissioner as high performing.  The Department will shortly release the Effective Annual Measurable Objectives (EAMO) for the 2004-2005 school year.  Any group for which a school or district is accountable that fails to meet the Effective Annual Measurable Objective and fails to qualify for the Safe Harbor will be designated as not making Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2004-2005 school year.

For more information on NCLB accountability, please refer to the following web site: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/nclb/accountability.htm