There are different levels of achievenment -- from minimum to absolute. Depending on where a school/school district begins, it ought to work to achieve higher levels, unless it already is at the absolute level. In most human activities, there are four levels of achievement:
Basic or Minimum Achievement
Basic achievement levels are the minimum levels which will be accepted. If one is below the minimum, adverse action will occur. For instance, a new principal will be assigned to the school. The minimum level is the cut-off line below which performance is not acceptable.
Minimum levels for schools are usually established
In some areas, minimum levels may be established by accreditation agencies. Often basic levels deal with books, certification, adequate space and personnel, curriculum guides, philosophy, etc.
To meet basic levels of achievement only is to be minimally effective.
Normative Achievement
Normative achievement levels are those levels achieved by the average of a group. This achievement places a school at the center of a group of mean-matched schools.
Being average is not generally considered an excellent position.
Effective Achievement
Effective achievement levels (or "Effectiveness Levels") are those levels achieved by schools which are one standard deviation above normative levles. They are usually achieved by 20-25 percent of the group. Being one standard deviation above the mean of a population is considered to be effective.
If at this level, a school is doing extremely well - a level reached by 20-25 percent of schools in a mean-matched group of schools.
Absolute Achievement
Absolute achievement levels mean being the best in any category. Only one or a few schools achieve absolute achievement levels. Absolute levels are extremely difficult to achieve, but there are always a few who do. Having 100 percent average daily attendance, for example, is achievement of an absolute level.
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