KDE 2018 test results released

On Monday, the Kentucky Department of Education released the 2018 school accountability and test results from the previous school year with media and public access to that information embargoed until 12:01 on Sept. 26.

Schools and Districts first received the information at 9 a.m. with the embargoed data released to working media at 2 p.m.

Superintendents and district leaders then had a designated time in which they could begin to receive questions from local media, with data to have been discussed privately with local media, Board of Education members and school and district leaders during the embargo period, however not in a public meeting.

The following information relating to the test results was submitted by Fulton Independent Schools and Fulton County Schools, with commentary from FIS Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller, as well as from Fulton County Schools Superintendent Aaron Collins and Assistant Superintendent PaTrice Tucker Chambers.

Fulton Independent Schools

The 2017-2018 school year is the first year of a transition period to a new accountability model in Kentucky schools.

Kentucky’s accountability system, aligned to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), has students at its center.

The indicators of the multi-dimensional system work together to support several important concepts that promote a valuable educational experience for all Kentucky’s students.

The goals of the system include: Promote higher levels of student learning and achievement; Reduce achievement gaps and ensure equity; Emphasize opportunity and access for students to receive a quality education; Build a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement; and Communicate a clear and honest understanding of the strengths and opportunities for improvement in Kentucky’s schools and districts.

The new accountability model is made up of seven indicators, including: Proficiency; Separate Academic Indicator; Growth; Graduation Rate; Transition Readiness; Achievement Gap Closure; and Opportunity and Access.

Using the 2017-2018 school year test data, schools will be identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), or Other (not CSI/TSI).

Only the indicators of proficiency, separate academic indicator, growth, transition readiness, and graduation rate will be used to identify Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI).

Elementary and Middle Schools’ identification status will be measured with a proficiency score in reading and mathematics based on the May 2018 KPREP scores, Separate Academics Indicator scores in Science, Social Studies and Writing based on the May 2018 KPREP scores, and a Growth score in reading and mathematics based on the May 2018 KPREP scores. Proficiency in English Language Attainment for English Language Learning students will also be included.

High Schools’ identification status will be measured with a proficiency score in reading and mathematics based on the March 2018 ACT scores, the Graduation Rate for four year cohort and five year cohort graduates, and a Transition Readiness score based on college and career readiness in an approved Career Pathway in Kentucky.

Fulton Middle School and Fulton High School earned the status of “Other” based on this criteria.

Carr Elementary School earned the status of “Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI)”.

While administrators and teachers are disappointed that Carr Elementary qualified for the CSI status by only 5 tenths of a point, the educational plan for this school year is viewed as a solid improvement plan.

One of our focuses for this school year is closing the Achievement Gaps for our free/reduced lunch eligible students and minority students.

Components of our improvement plan include a revised Response to Intervention (RTI) plan in reading and mathematics, a revised writing plan, revised literacy plans, and increased professional development activities for teachers.

The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant that the school district received will bring in $250,000 during the 2018-2019 school year for literacy development and comprehension for children birth through twelfth grade.

The Leader in Me and Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports programs have been implemented this year district wide and we have already seen a vast improvement in school culture and behavior as a result.

This allows students to be more engaged in their academic environment.

“I am proud of our students and their accomplishments that we, as educators, see daily. Those strides and achievements are not reflected on test scores always. Fulton Independent Schools focuses on the whole child and our goal to produce graduates that will be productive, contributing members of our society. I certainly want to see improvement in our test scores, in particular our Achievement Gap areas. I strive for growth every year and this year is no different. I feel confident that our team of teachers and administrators will enable our students to see growth in all areas of their lives this year, including academic achievement,” said Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller.

Fulton County Schools

“Kentucky’s newly redesigned accountability system has students at its center—ensuring they are well-rounded, transition ready, prepared with the knowledge, skills, and essential dispositions to successfully pursue the pathway of their choice after graduating from high school, with an emphasis in providing students with opportunities in career and technical education.” (KDE, August 2018)

These changes haven’t stopped Fulton County Schools from moving our students to the next level.

In fact, we have seen great improvement in all of our schools…the 2017-2018 KPREP and ACT scores prove just that.

Looking back five years ago, Fulton County’s ACT average composite score was a 16.4, but now the average is 18.6 of all juniors tested on the state ACT each March.

“That’s outstanding growth”, says Assistant Superintendent PaTrice Chambers.

High school principal, Ellen Murphy’s motto “We are not going to settle for anything but our students’ best” continues to be at the forefront of this success. Fulton County High is focusing on finding solutions and ensuring our African American students meet ACT benchmarks. Small group interventions have already been implemented at the high school. Murphy, Academic Coach Dianne Owen, and Chambers are continuing to search for research-based materials that will support the academic goals of Fulton County students.

Fulton County Elementary/Middle School’s data continues to progress and improve.

In 3rd grade reading, out of 37 students, 15 of them scored proficient or distinguished. In mathematics, 20 out of 37 were P/D.

In 4th grade reading, six students were distinguished and 21 were proficient.

In math, 19 students scored proficient and eight students were distinguished which is a stellar number.

At the 5th grade level in reading 8 students reached the distinguished ranking with 19 proficient putting 5th grade reading at 61% proficiency.

The students hit a slight snare in mathematics scores with only 38% reaching proficiency, but a new math program is showing promise in this area.

Other areas of improvement needed are in science and on-demand writing. Proactive steps have been taken to improve these areas including a district wide writing plan and new approaches in science.

At the middle school level, scores in reading, mathematics, and social studies took a great leap towards proficiency. There were 40 6th graders who were tested in reading and mathematics with 73% exceeding our goal of 45% proficiency in reading and 67% in mathematics.

The 7th and 8th grade students in reading hit an astonishing percentage of proficiencies of over 80%, with 8th grade being the highest score in the district at 89%.

Math also exceeded the district’s goal of 45% proficiency with a score of 67%. Eight grade social studies hit an all-time high with 26 students being proficient and seven students being distinguished.

Superintendent Aaron Collins stated, “I am excited to see the academic growth that is occurring at the elementary, the exceptional reading scores at the middle school, and the focus that we have at the high school to prepare our students for success after high school. We continue to live out the Fulton County Schools vision on a daily basis as we are focused on improvement and know the areas that need immediate attention and have aligned resources to increase student achievement.”

Asst. Superintendent, Chambers added, “we are saving lives and building futures one student at a time. With the help of our community, board, administrators, educators, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers and most importantly our students, we will continue toward our fantastic journey towards proficiency and beyond.”