What is meant by safe harbor?
“Safe harbor” is a term given when a student group makes AYP even though it does not make the target in a “proficiency” group. To make safe harbor, a group must meet two conditions. First, it must reduce by at least 10% the percentage of students not meeting the proficiency target from the previous year. Second, it must meet the target for the other indicator (either the graduation or unexcused absence rate). For 2010 safe harbor calculations, the weighted average of all tested grades (3-8 and 10) in 2009 were averaged to determine the prior year percent not meeting standard. This is then compared to the 2010 percent not meeting standard and the percent change is calculated to determine whether AYP was met through safe harbor. For 2011 and beyond, the percent change will be determined by comparing the current year to the prior year percent meeting standard.
