The guidelines established by the federal No Child Left Behind act are tough. Educators across the board say you can’t discount the numbers but they say they can be a bit misleading.

In the 2006-07 school year, according to data released on Friday, more than 80 school districts in this area had some shortfall, according to one or more federal standard.

"You see this label put on your school which really doesn't fit,” said Marc Doss, director of professional services in the Ozark School District.

Doss is frustrated. A couple of his schools are on the list as "standard not met." The question is how fair is the measuring stick.

"They judge us on those few indicators,” said Doss.

Under federal standards, every school must divide students into sub-groups such as those with disabilities, those with English as their second language, and race. Educators say, even if 99 percent of the students are doing well but 1 percent isn't meeting the standard, the entire school or district is labeled “standard not met.”

"Special ed students are special ed for a reason and the federal requirements really disregard that,” said Doss.

That makes this list seem like it doesn't measure up.

"That measure that the feds have put in place really makes it difficult for some kids that are in those sub-groups, whether it be a minority or disability group, to perform at the same level that the other students may," said Doss.

If a district does not meet standards for two years in a row, then it is put on a federal school improvement plan.

It isn’t right to say all educators think this is an unfair standard but most would say they want growth models for students – so, if a child is special ed, he/she is held to that cognitive level. Educators say they agree they need to be held accountable -- and they have no problem with state standards -- but feel like the federal guidelines are unrealistic.

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The following districts have been designated as "Not Met" when it comes to "Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). AYP reflects state test scores in mathematics and communication arts, as well as attendance rates and graduation rates. Districts receiving a "not met" in one category will receive an overall rating of "not met," even if the other areas were up to federal standards.  Districts are judged on a combination of test scores in mathematics (M) and communication arts (CA), and attendance (A), and graduation rates (G).  Shown after the name of each district is the specific area or areas where the school did not meet AYP standards.

An (*) indicates that a district has not met AYP for a second consecutive year, which places it on a school improvement plan.

Alton- CA, M
Appleton City- CA
Aurora*- CA, M, A
Ava- CA, M
Bakersfield*- CA
Billings- G
Blue Eye*- M
Bolivar- CA, M, A
Branson- CA, M, A, G
Cabool*- CA, A
Camdenton*- CA, M, A, G
Carl Junction*- CA, M, G
Carthage*- CA, M, G
Cassville*- CA, M
Climax Springs- A
Crane- CA, A
Crocker- CA, M, A, G
Dallas County*- CA, M
Dixon- CA, M
Dora- CA, G
El Dorado Springs- CA, M, G
Everton- M, A
Exeter- CA, M
Fair Grove*- CA, M
Fair Play- CA
Fairview- CA, M
Forsyth- M
Galena*- CA, M, G
Gasconade- CA, A
Greenfield- G
Halfway- CA, M
Hartville*- CA
Hickory County (Urbana)- CA
Hollister*- CA, M
Houston*- CA, M, A, G
Humansville - CA, M
Hurley- M
Joplin- CA, M, A, G
Kirbyville- A
Laclede Co. R-1 (Conway)* - A
Lakeland*- A,G
Lamar- CA
Laquey- CA
Lebanon*- CA, M, A, G
Licking- CA
Logan-Rogersville*- CA, A
Macks Creek- A, G
Mansfield- CA, M
Marion C. Early (Morrisville)*- CA
Marionville- CA
Marshfield*- CA, M, G
Miller*- CA, M, A
Monett*- CA, M
Mountain Grove*- CA, M, G
Mountain View-Birchtree* - CA, A
Mt. Vernon*- CA, M, A
Neosho*- CA, M, A, G
Nevada*- CA, M
Newburg*- CA, M, G
Niangua- CA
Nixa- CA, M
North Wood- A
Ozark- CA, M, A
Phelps County (Edgar Springs)*- CA, A
Plainview- A
Pleasant Hope*- CA, M
Purdy*- CA, G
Republic*- CA, M
Richland- CA
Rolla- CA, M,A, G
Salem*- CA, M, A
Sarcoxie*- CA
Seneca- CA, M
Seymour*- CA, M, G
Southwest (Washburn)- CA
Springfield- CA, M, A, G
Stockton*- CA, M
Success*- A
Summersville- M, G
Thayer* - CA, A
Verona*- CA
Waynesville*- CA, M
Webb City*- CA, M,A
West Plains- CA, M
Willard*- CA, M
Willow Springs- CA, A
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Here are Springfield School District buildings not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals for 2006-2007, according to standards set by the federal government.  Individual school buildings are judged on a combination of test scores in mathematics (M) and communication arts (CA), and attendance or graduation rates (A/G).  Shown after the name of each school is the specific area or areas where the school did not meet AYP standards.

High Schools:
Hillcrest - CA, M
Parkview- A/G

Middle Schools:
Carver- CA, M
Cherokee - CA
Hickory Hills- CA
Pershing- CA, M
Pipkin- CA
Reed- CA, M, A/G
Study- CA

Elementary:
Bingham- CA
Bissett- CA
Bowerman- CA
Boyd- CA
McGregor- CA, M
Watkins- CA
Westport- CA
Williams- CA
York- CA

 For more information on the Springfield School District buildings, click here.