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School district shows 49 percent increase in state standing

11/2/2012

By Afton Fairchild
Advocate staff writer
The Montgomery County School District showed significant gains during the 2011-12 school year statewide assessment test.
Last school year was the first time Kentucky used its new testing system based on common core standards, K-PREP; and this year marks the first year of the state’s new accountability system used in conjunction with the results, known as Unbridled Learning: College/Career Readiness for All.
The district showed significant gains as a whole, with a 49 percent increase in standing from last year, gaining a proficient classification and a score of 58.6 (state average for 2012, 55.2). While the testing is more rigourous in certain subject areas, schools and districts can still be compared based on their standing among other schools and districts in the state. Last year, the district was in the bottom 24 percent of districts, while this year, the district is in the top 27 percent of districts, putting Montgomery County in the top 50 (out of 174), compared to last year’s rank of 132.
Scores are based on factors of achievement, gap, growth, college/career readiness and graduation rate, when applicable. Both the middle and elementary level scores do not include graduation rates. The elementary school scores also do not reflect college/career readiness. A more in-depth explanation of the new assessment and accountability model appeared in last week’s Advocate.
Individual school districts, designations and rankings are as follows:
• Camargo Elementary—Score of 59.1, proficient; top 18 percent of Kentucky elementary schools, up from the bottom 26 percent in 2011 (56 percent increase).
• Mapleton Elementary—Score of 74.3, distinguished, School of Distinction; top 3 percent of Kentucky elementary schools, up from the top 43 percent in 2011 (40 percent increase).
• Mt. Sterling Elementary—Score of 63, proficient; top 28 percent of Kentucky elementary schools, up from top 34 percent in 2011 (six percent increase).
• McNabb Middle School—Score of 52.6, Needs Improvement, Focus School; bottom 43 percent of Kentucky middle schools, up from bottom 21 percent in 2011 (increase of 22 percent).
• Montgomery County High School—Score of 55.7, Needs Improvement; top 42 percent of Kentucky high schools, up from bottom 20 percent in 2011 (increase of 38 percent).
A closer look at this year’s scores
The district had a graduation rate of 76.2 percent (including homebound students); while MCHS’s rate was 79.1 percent. The state average was 77.8 percent.
College-career readiness scores are based on ACT benchmark scores, Compass and KYOTE assessment results for the college variable, in addition to those who met benchmarks in the ASVAB, ACT WorkKeys and KOSSA assessments, or those who have received an industry-recognized career certificate for the career portion. The district received a college/career readiness score of 56.5, compared to the state average of 51.8.
The growth component is measured by comparing students whose scores fall in similar ranges one year with their progress the next. Montgomery County students in most schools showed more progress locally than much of the state, with the elementary schools reporting 73.9 percent of students showing growth (state average, 60.5), middle school. 63.2 percent growth (state average, 60.4) and high school, 56.1 percent growth (state average, 58.5).
Achievement and gap group scores were broken down into grade level and subject area. Report cards for each school with more specific data can be reviewed on the Kentucky Dept. of Education’s website at http://education.ky.gov/.
Distinctions and consequences
Mapleton Elementary received a special designation this year for its performance, and in addition to being classified as distinguished, it has been labeled a School of Distinction (scoring at 95th percentile or higher). Only 40 elementary schools across the state received such a designation. According to the KDE’s website, Schools of Distinction will receive recognition of achievements, such as Web logos and other promotional materials. Financial rewards may be applied in conjunction with other recognition activities if funds are available. These schools will also serve as models for lower-performing schools/districts.
Camargo and MSE received proficient scores, which means they scored in the 70-89 percentile range. The two schools were among 149 (of 733 elementary schools in the state) to receive the rating.
Both McNabb and MCHS were classified as Needs Improvement, which means they fell in the lower 70th percentile. McNabb was also deemed a Focus School, which designates low achievements in gap scoring. Focus schools will have a variety of consequences, depending on the number of years they remain in that category. The first year requires the school to update its Comprehensive School Improvement Planning, with ideas focused on improvement in areas of reported weakness.
In former years, schools that weren’t recognized as Title I (such as McNabb and MCHS) did not face consequences under No Child Left Behind. However, Unbridled Learning holds every school accountable for not making its AMO (Annual Measurable Objectives, formerly known as AYP or Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB). While this is the first year of the system and no AMOs were set, the AMO that will be required for 2013 is based on a statistical model that requires a school to have significant gain of scores over the course of five years, according to the KDE website.
The point gains needed for each local school to make its AMO in 2013 are: Camargo, Mapleton and MSE, 0.5; and McNabb and MCHS, 1.
Reflecting and
moving forward
Superintendent Josh Powell said he is extremely pleased with the assessment and accountability results.
“This is a great accomplishment for our community, as student achievement/test scores have a tremendous achievement on every variable in the community,” he said. “Let me be clear, the people who hav