Local public school districts take note of state testing results

Nov. 2—Test scores are out and all three local school districts have marks they can be proud of — and can build on.

Results of the 2022-23 Kentucky Summative Assessments have been released, with the annual Kentucky School Report Card being made public late Tuesday to reflect those results. Statewide tests were given to public school students in grades 3-8 and 10-11 this past spring.

Schools are assessed along the lines of a color-coded system. Schools that do the best are considered "blue," with scores of 83.0 or more. Next is green, from 70.0-82.9. Yellow is for scores of 55.0-69.9, orange for 38.0-54.9, and red is the lowest ranking, from, 0-37.9. High schools, middle schools, and elementary schools are each evaluated individually along these lines.

For the Pulaski County School District, Superintendent Patrick Richardson was pleased with the ability of his schools to finish overall in the green category, considering everything students have been through in recent years, particularly considering COVID-19.

"The last few years have been very challenging for kids and those in education. We intensely focused on the academic needs of our students this past year while supporting their emotional needs," said Richardson. "Although there is always work to be done, today is a good day and a day our educators and parents should be proud of."

Overall, Pulaski County elementary schools were in the top 14 percent in the state (out of 172 districts) ranking at no. 24. Middle schools were in the top 22 percent in the state (out of 172 districts) ranking at no. 37, and the high schools were in the top 28 percent, in the state (out of 168 districts), ranking no. 46.

"To be one of the larger districts in the state, our rankings show the dedication our teachers have in focusing on every student," said Richardson.

Individually, Richardson noted, four Pulaski district schools achieved "blue" status — Eubank Elementary, Northern Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, and Pulaski Elementary. He also told the Commonwealth Journal that six other schools were "green," while Nancy Elementary and Pulaski County High School were "yellow" status.

"We have already had initial meetings with the leadership at every school, celebrating successes and identifying areas for growth," said Richardson. "Pulaski County Schools have strong academics and many amazing opportunities for kids. I am very proud of our schools and students."

In the Somerset Independent School System, there were only three schools to evaluate — Hopkins Elementary was "blue", and Meece Middle and Somerset High School both "green."

"Positive test scores such as these are a direct result of remarkable students, teachers, staff, parents, and administrators working toward a common goal," said Somerset Superintendent Kyle Lively. "We are truly fortunate to have a fantastic student body with supportive parents. Our teachers, staff and administrators go above and beyond to ensure all student needs are met. It is this combination of caring and dedication that make results like this possible. We are extremely proud of what our students and teachers have accomplished, and we look forward to continual academic growth."

Hopkins Elementary, which had an overall score of 88.8, scored in the top 10 percent of elementary schools in Kentucky; in particular, 50 percent of fourth-grade students scored proficient or higher in science, well above the state average. Third- and fourth-grade students also averaged a 95.6 indicator score when describing in a survey the quality of school climate and safety at Hopkins.

"Our school has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in education and this achievement is evidence of our collective efforts," said Hopkins principal Dr. Hubert Schroer. "We are proud of our students for their outstanding academic performance and commitment to learning. We are also grateful to our teachers and staff for their tireless efforts in providing a high-quality education for our students. This recognition reflects the strong partnership that exists between our school and the wider community."

Somerset High School earned a "blue" status for the Reading and Math indicator, as well as graduation rate. For Meece, the Targeted Support and Improvement" label from 2021-22 was removed thanks to increased subgroup scores.

"It is evident that our teachers are using the evidence-based strategies they learned in professional development," said Cindy Ham, District Coordinator for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. "Their hard work planning, delivering instruction, and providing interventions are reducing student learning loss that was a result of the pandemic. These improved scores are a result of the whole education community working together for the benefit of our students."

Science Hill School, the single-facility district in northern Pulaski offering classes for elementary and middle school students, earned a "yellow" designation overall, with the elementary level scoring at 68.1 and middle school at 55.6

"Science Hill Independent School recently learned of their yellow ranking on the Kentucky State Assessment from last spring," said Superintendent Jimmy Dyehouse. "While this is not where school leadership had hoped we would be, there are still several areas of high achievement that can be celebrated."

Specifically, at the elementary level, scores for reading, math, and science all were in the "green" category while the middle school is celebrating reading, writing, and social studies scores also ranking in the "green" category, noted Dyehouse.

"While we are happy about our content area successes, we are not satisfied with our overall placement and are already working to make improvements," he said. "We don't intend to stand still. Our school is moving forward and is committed to continual improvement."

Dyehouse said school leaders are already working to put several new structures in place designed to make significant improvements before the next round of testing.

"We aren't where we want to be, but we are committed to a tradition of excellence," said Dyehouse. "My people know what needs to be done and they are already hard at work to make significant improvements."

Students took Kentucky Summative Assessments in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, editing and mechanics and on-demand writing. While the 2021-2022 scores provided a predominately academic baseline for schools, the addition into the system this year was a change factor indicating progress or decline compared to previous scores in each indicator.

With the addition of the change factor, this year's scores cannot be compared to last year's scores. The accountability system also includes improving the English language proficiency of English learners, the quality of school climate and safety, and postsecondary readiness and graduation rate at high schools as well as data and measures related to subpopulations within schools.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.