Editorial: Schools make progress

The Philadelphia school system achieved another major benchmark with the latest results showing significant gains on the state's standardized tests.

It almost goes without saying that the district still has a long way to go to improve student achievement to an acceptable level, but the current scores are nonetheless worth saluting.

For the 2009-10 school year, 158 of the city's 267 schools, or 59 percent, met the benchmark for "adequate yearly progress" under the federal No Child Left Behind law, according to district data. In the previous year, only 119 schools met the standard.

Even more good news: This year's number represents the most schools to meet state goals since 2004, when 160 schools met standards. Also encouraging, officials said gains were actually made for the first time at some schools, including the lowest-performing "empowerment schools."

But the preliminary results released by the district Thursday also underscore the need for massive improvements at many schools. More than half of the district's 11th graders cannot read or do math at grade level.

The tests were administered in the spring to students in the third through eighth grades, and 11th grade. Statewide results have not yet been released.

Philadelphia's results show that progress to improve the failing district is being made.

The challenge ahead is to build on this progress through Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's strategic plan, "Imagine 2014," so that every child gets a good education and can succeed.