No Student Left Behind- Langley Park, Hyattsville, MD

I love what it has done for my kids. I love what it’s done for my teachers. I absolutely love SFA.

AMY STOUT, Principal

The Challenge

Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School in Hyattsville, Maryland, doesn’t shy away from the challenges it faces: an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) population around 65% and the highest free or reduced price lunch population – 96% – in Prince George’s County.

Principal Amy Stout sought something that could address the school’s wide range of learning abilities. “I wanted to be able to reach those students that were struggling, and I wanted to be able to push those students that weren’t struggling,” she said. “I just really felt like that wasn’t happening.”

After visiting a school that was using Success for All, Stout was sold. Langley Park implemented the program in fall 2011.

The Result

Langley Park implemented SFA in fall 2011, and in just one year, teachers and administrators say they are far better equipped to meet every student’s needs and are excited to see what achievements are on the horizon.

The school’s Maryland Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) target numbers have held steady, and
administrators are optimistic about future results. In 2011, the school’s reading AMO was 85.2%. In 2012,
the school made a slight gain to 86.5%. With a strong first-year implementation, Langley Park students are on track for even greater success in the coming years.

Reese has noticed that because students are now comfortable and confident, they love to read. “It’s every teacher’s dream that when the bell rings, all the kids go, ‘Time’s up already?’ As long as I’ve been teaching SFA, that happens every single day.”

Not only are students eager to read, they’re eager to progress. The school’s SFA facilitator, Gerri Toure, notes that SFA “creates a sense of ownership for the kids.” She’s found that students are excited to move up and approach her about what else they can do to advance.

In only one year, Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School has seen a palpable change in students and teachers alike. “I want to be able to say at the end of every day I touched every child’s life, and I’m making a difference,” says Stout. With SFA, she’s coming closer and closer.