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That is according to the Michigan Department of Education. The state's Education YES Report Cards were recently released for Michigan elementary, middle, and high schools, along with the annual report on each school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.

Adequate Yearly Progress is a measure used to hold schools and districts responsible for student achievement in English language arts and mathematics. AYP is based on Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test results, participation rates in MEAP testing, and attendance or graduation rates.

"The bar was raised this past year," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "We asked our schools to make a big jump. The bar will be raised again in two years, so schools must continue to improve and find ways to reach all kids and make sure they get the quality education they deserve. We can't afford to rest. We must keep our foot on the gas pedal and not let up."

All Lapeer County school districts made AYP. Schools not making AYP included Venture High School in Imlay City and Woodside Community in Lapeer. Also, Almont Middle School did not make AYP in math and high schoolers in the Lapeer Schools did not make AYP in English Language Arts.Ê

Rex Hart, director of special programs in the Lapeer Community Schools, said his district's ELA is reported from economically disadvantaged students at Woodside.

Jim Earley, assistant superintendent in the Imlay City Community Schools said many alternative high schools are becoming a thing of the past. "Most alternative schools aren't passing AYP," Earley said. "In a small setting it's hard to offer the requirements."

The Education YES School Report Cards are a compilation of student scores on the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) and Michigan Merit Exam (MME) tests; the MI-Access alternate assessments for students with disabilities; AYP designation; and school performance indicators.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.

The following are public school grades on report cards in Lapeer County: Almont Elementary A, Almont High School B, Almont Middle School A, Orchard Primary A, Dryden Elementary A, Dryden High School A, Borland A, Imlay City High B, Imlay City Middle School B, Weston A, Venture D, Schickler B, Elba A, Lynch A, Murphy A, Hadley A, Woodside D alert, East B, West B, Maple Grove A, Mayfield A, Seaton A, Turrill B, Zemmer A, North Branch Elementary A, North Branch High B, North Branch Middle School B, Ruth Fox A, and Quest received no grade.