NAMPA--If students fall short of state standards on a test this week, they might get to switch schools.

Public schools that miss the mark two years in a row may be required to offer students a choice of where to attend as soon as next fall.

The standard is measured -- in part -- by what percentage of a school's students test at or above grade level in math and reading on the Idaho Standards Achievement Test. Students statewide are taking the test this week.

More than half of Canyon County schools missed the standard last spring. But local school officials said this week there is no reason to worry.

Superintendent Vaughn Heinrich said most of the Vallivue schools in question made the list because they did not test enough students last spring. He said the schools missed participation standards but met state performance requirements.

Heinrich said the district paid close attention to every student when testing this fall and has easily surpassed the state participation standard.

"I'm not feeling uncomfortable," Heinrich said, adding that Vallivue has worked to fix the problem. "It would be premature to panic."

Jay Hummel, Nampa's assistant superintendent, pointed out that even if some schools miss the target twice, giving students a choice is something the district already does.

"We have open enrollment," Hummel said, explaining that Nampa students can apply for any school in the district. "We believe in choice. We've got lots of schools. We're able to provide some options."

But there are limits. If there is not room for all students who choose to transfer to a certain campus, priority is given to low-achieving, low-income students.

But they don't have priority over students in the attendance area, so they won't bump students out of their home school.

Caldwell Assistant Superintendent Chuck Randolph said some local schools will go on school improvement plans in the fall. But he said missing state standards for adequate yearly progress does not make for a bad school.

"It would be instructive if you would take a look at our lowest-achieving school and look at the multitude of things they have going," Randolph said. He cited before and after-school programs that mean more than two hours a day of extra instruction for many students.

Randolph said these students show marked growth over the course of the year. But he pointed to Caldwell's highly mobile population, which means the district often does not have long to work with a student.

"People have to understand the deficit a kid is in if this is his third school in one year," Randolph said. "No apology, we take in (whoever) comes to the front door."

Find more at the Idaho Press-Tribune.