Selma City Schools superintendent Don Jefferson said many students in the system are over achieving.

While the overall system did not meet its Adequate Yearly Progress goals when numbers were released earlier this week, Jefferson stressed there was only one area keeping the system from its goals.

Ten of the 11 schools in the system made their goals, Jefferson said, with the exception being Selma High School in areas involving special education.

Because so many other schools are posting strong numbers, Jefferson said he felt the teachers and administrators deserve praise.

“I want my system to be recognized for the hard work teachers have done,” he said.

Jefferson said teachers are often criticized when things go wrong, but rarely get the praise they deserve when things are going well. He said he wanted to make sure they were praised for their tireless efforts.

Jefferson said 77 percent of students in third through eighth grade met or exceeded content standards by reaching level three and level four in reading.

In mathematics, Jefferson said 71 percent of the students met or exceeded standards by reaching level three and four.

These numbers, he said, mean they not only reach their desired level, but often exceed their goals.

“That is outstanding,” he said.

The way Adequate Yearly Progress is set up, it takes only one school missing its goals to keep the system as a whole from achieving its AYP goals.

Jefferson said Selma schools will continue to work within the system and improve.

“The system is what it is, and it is up to us to work within that system,” he said. “We are going to do what we need to do to reach those goals and correct these issues.”