Ledger-Independent, Maysville, Sept. 30, 2016
Kprep scores show area schools improving
CHRISTY HOWELL-HOOTS
K-prep test scores released by the Kentucky Department of Education show some area schools making great strides, while others are in need of improvement.
According to results, the Mason County District was ranked as a needs improvement school with an overall score of 63.9, lower than the 70.9 score from last year.
Mason County High School scored 71 overall, making it a proficient school, while Mason County Middle School scored 62.1 and the Intermediate School scoring 58.7, making them both needs improvement schools. Straub Elementary School students were not tested.
"There was a change in the way the district scores were calculated this year," said Mason County Schools Assessment Coordinator Ron Ishmael. "Had the method of calculations remained the same, our scores would have been about the same. By applying the new calculations, scores from last year were pulled up and scores for this year were pulled down. Mason County students are still receiving the best instruction they've ever received. We've brought in a lot of new programs, the Leader in Me, Critical Thinking, etc. and we've opened the STEAM academy, opening the doors to many new career paths. Our students' achievements remain the same, as does our goal, to continue to grow."
In Fleming County, the district scored 73 overall, making it a distinguished district, slightly higher than the 71.1 overall score in the 2014-15 school year.
Fleming County High School scored 69.8, making it a needs improvement school, Simons Middle School scored 73.7, making it a distinguished school, Flemingsburg Elementary School scored 67.5, making it a proficient/progressing school, Hillsboro Elementary School scored 64.4, making it a needs improvement school, EP Ward Elementary scored 78.7, making it a distinguished/progressing school and Ewing Elementary scored 78, making it a distinguished/progressing school.
"We are elated," Superintendent Brian Creasman said. "For the first time, Fleming County Schools is considered to be a Distinguished School District – as designated by the Kentucky Department of Education. This growth is a result of the hard work by students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents and the community. This level of growth is truly a proud moment for all of Fleming County. By having a laser focus on student success – the results are always phenomenal. It validates the district’s approach to having a laser focus on the teaching and learning process in every school.”
" I appreciate the ownership the teachers and staff took in raising the bar for the students." Fleming County Schools Director of District Wide Operations Greg Conway added.
In Lewis County, the district scored 70.1 overall, higher than the 62.3 average in the 2014-15 school year.
Tollesboro Elementary scored 74.4, making it a distinguished/progressing school, Garrison Elementary scored 65 overall, making it a needs improvement/progressing school, Laurel Elementary School scored 72.4 overall, making it a proficient/progressing school, Lewis County Elementary School scored 69.7, making it a proficient/progressing school, the Lewis County Middle School scored 63.4 overall, making it a needs improving/progressing school and Lewis County High School scored 76.7, making it a distinguished school.
"We are very pleased with the state test scores from last year. Our students, teachers, and staff worked extremely hard," Superintendent Jamie Weddington said.
Robertson County School scores improved during the 2015-16 school year. The overall score was 80.2, higher than the 62.2 score from the 2014-15 school year, making the district distinguished/progressing.
"I am very proud of my students and staff," Superintendent Sanford Holbrook said. "Last spring, I challenged my students and these results are proof that they accepted the challenge. The credit for these scores goes entirely to my staff and students."
Augusta Independent School scored 68 overall, just slightly down from the 68.8 score in the 2014-15 school year.
“We are pleased with the results," Superintendent Lisa McCane said. "We believe it is most important to continue the improvements. We need to examine (the reports) and see what we need to do to continue growth. We are pleased with the elementary scores, showing a nice gain. We need to take a look at the Middle School, the high school also needs to be looked at to make sure we stay on the right track.”
The Bracken County School District scored 66.9 overall, up from the 66.8 score in the 2014-15 school year.
Bracken County High School scored 72.4, making it a proficient school, Bracken County Middle School scored 70.1, making it a proficient/progressing school and Taylor Elementary scored 58.1, making it a needs improvement school.
"I look at the individual schools and the elementary school, social studies and reading being above the state average; the school had many bright spots and many areas where they are improving. We have a great staff and Taylor Elementary will be making some strides. We have some areas that we'll be working on. The middle school is one tenth of a point from being distinguished, which is really good. In the high school, there was growth in college and career readiness. All of our staff, at all schools, continue to push students to achieve at higher levels and work collaboratively to make sure all students meet their potential. We're still a proficient district and it's due to all the hard work the teachers and staff are doing in the high school."