The Grants Pass School District Seven Board discussed the Achievement Compact Advisory Committee and their recommendations during today’s meeting.

Achievement Compacts, which is a set of goals and strategies Oregon school districts must develop, was used as an alternative to make the state exempt from the No Child Left Behind Act. The Compact Advisory Committee has set their own goals such as increasing successful completion of education by five percent, establishing professional learning communities, developing individual student profiles and increasing community and parent involvement. The Oregon Education Investment Board also has criteria the district must meet.

Board Member Gary Richardson commented, “We just did No Child Left Behind and there were targets spread out and I don’t see how this is any different.” Superintendant John Higgins felt certain goals the state has set had relevancy issues for schools locally. Board Member Cliff Kuhlman said that despite the lofty goal of 100 percent of children graduating, he felt setting that goal would bring the state closer to achieving it.

The Compact Advisory Board is still working on their targets and strategies and must adopt a plan by July 1.