Alexandria and Arlington had a higher percentage of schools not fully accredited by the state this year than other Northern Virginia jurisdictions despite spending more per student. Two of Alexandria’s 16 public schools weren’t fully accredited, compared with three of Prince William County’s 80 schools that failed to pass. Two of Arlington’s 30 schools were denied accredited status, compared with only one of the 70 Loudoun County schools. In Fairfax, 188 out of 190 schools passed.

Alexandria spent more per student, $18,232, than any school system in the area in fiscal 2007, according to the Washington Area Boards of Education annual report. Arlington spent the second most, $17,958, while Fairfax spent $12,853.

Loudoun and Prince William counties spent even less at $12,023 and $10,378, respectively.

“You have to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples with actual students and the demographics,” said Amy Carlini, spokeswoman for Alexandria schools.

This story continues below
Advertisement

Alexandria has higher percentages of immigrant students with limited English skills and children who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches.

Arlington also has higher numbers of immigrant students, said Mark Johnston, Arlington assistant superintendent for instruction.

Ten of the 11 Northern Virginia schools that weren’t fully accredited were middle schools that didn’t attain the math standard. Sixth- and seventh-grade math scores have been low statewide since Virginia started testing two years ago, said Charles Pyle, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Education.

Most Fairfax County elementary schools include sixth grade, while in the rest of Northern Virginia, most sixth-graders’ scores are included with middle schools. Johnston suggested this could improve Fairfax County’s middle school accreditation results, as elementary math testing has generally been stronger than sixth- and seventh-grade testing.

State accreditation and the federal No Child Left Behind Act rely on the same standardized tests Virginia students take each spring in math and English. State accreditation also considers students’ scores on standardized social studies and science tests.

mhegstad@dcexaminer.com