Newton County superintendent assesses state test scores

Published 10:40 pm Wednesday, October 22, 2008

special to The Star



DECATUR – Newton County Superintendent of Education Pat Ross said he is encouraged by the school district’s recent state test scores.

“We are very proud that in most areas assessed by the state in the spring, the students in our district performed above the state average,” Ross said.

“However, we have challenged our district personnel to prepare our students to perform at a level that will make our students competitive with other students in the United States, not just in Mississippi. Hopefully through professional development geared towards improving the rigor and relevance of our curriculum and teaching pedagogy, we can take steps toward reaching that goal,” he said.

When considering data from the exit exams students must pass to graduate from high school, the district closely examines three aspects of performance: 1. How many students passed each assessment. 2. How many students performed at or above the proficient level (AAP). And 3. How many students performed at the “Advanced” level.”

“Our goal, much like other districts, is to move as many students as possible to the advanced level,” Ross said. “It is imperative, however, that we move 90 to 100 percent of our students at least to the proficient level. If our students perform at these levels, we do not have to be concerned with them failing the assessments.”

When examining data from the district’s Mississippi Curriculum Test 2 (MCT2) assessment – grades third-eighth – the district also pays careful attention to the number of students who are proficient and advanced.

“This past year was the first year the state has given the MCT2. This assessment was written on a much higher level, and mirrors the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),” Ross said. “Again, we are trying to raise our standards to compete nationally, and sometimes internationally.”

The superintendent said results were positive in that the students performed above the state average, and 80-90 percent of the Newton County students performed at or near the proficient level. Scores on this test were naturally lower than last year due to the increased difficulty of the test.

“We are encouraged, however, because we have a large number of students that, with a little help and encouragement, could be moved to the proficient or advanced levels,” Ross said.

“Newton County High School will be in year one of school improvement due to the fact that we tested 94.3 percent of students in one sub-group and No Child Left Behind requires that we test 95 percent,” he continued. “Basically that means the state will require us to put together a formal school improvement plan, and address the reason for the “school improvement” ruling. Our building level and district level administrators have already addressed this problem, which can be easily fixed.”

Ross said the district will continue to be involved in professional development sessions that will address the deficiencies we have at each school, and the district as a whole.

“It is our goal to make sustained, positive progress each year,” he said. “If we do, this we will improve student achievement and graduate students ready to succeed in a competitive global society.”

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