Second of two parts
Top-performing public elementary and high schools earned scores in the 90s while lowest scores were in the 50s and below, based on school Report Cards data released by the Kentucky Department of Education.
The accountability report for public schools is required by both state and federal law.
Schools earned points on a scale of 0 to 100 for their students’ performances on subject tests. Other data were factored in, like graduation rates, growth and more.
In the spring of each year students in grades 3-8 complete tsts called the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP) in reading, mathematics, science, society studies and writing. Students at the high school level complete end-of-course exams in Algebra II, English II, Biology and U.S. History. High school students also complete a writing test in grade 10 and writing/language mechanics test in grade 11.
Schools, districts and the state are placed in one of three performance classifications: Distinguished, Proficient or Needs Improvement.
The number of students graduating from high school and considered college/career-ready continues to increase, and more students are scoring at higher levels in most grades and subjects since the state launched its assessment and accountability system five years ago, according to data released by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
In 2016, the college/career readiness rate jumped to 68.5 – up from 66.9 last year and 62.5 the previous year. The four-year graduation rate is up as well to 88.6 – from 88.0 percent in the 2014-15 school year.
“Kentucky schools are to be congratulated for their continued progress on graduating more students with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in the 21st century,” said Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt. “The gains we are seeing are the result of a lot of hard work by our teachers, administrators and our students with the support of parents, community members and our education partners.”
The numbers of schools and districts performing at the highest levels are up from last year.
A total of 802 schools and 138 districts are classified as either proficient or distinguished.
The percent of students scoring at the proficient and distinguished levels has increased in nearly every subject and at every grade level since 2012, the first year of the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K- PREP) assessments. The state’s overall score as well as elementary and high school overall scores also improved over last year. The overall score for middle schools declined.
“While we would like to see big gains in achievement every year, it also is equally important to look at the areas we fall short in and use those results to make good decisions for students,” Pruitt said. “We are committed to pushing forward in order to prepare all students for a bright future.”
The results also continue to underscore the state’s struggle to reduce the achievement gaps for students in groups that have historically lagged behind their peers across multiple content areas and grade levels. The 2016 results do show an increase in the numbers of students scoring proficient and distinguished across grades and subjects, particularly in reading and mathematics.
“We saw some improvements overall in scores, but there are still huge gaps between groups of students,” Pruitt said. “We need to be honest with ourselves about the huge achievement and opportunity gaps that have persisted in our schools for far too long. We need to take collective ownership of this problem and undertake a culture change at KDE, in our schools and districts, and in our communities that is committed to preparing all students for a bright future.”
Here’s how Northern Kentucky schools stacked up compared to the rest of the state, based on Kentucky Department of Education data:
* No Northern Kentucky schools ranked in the Top Ten Elementary Schools.
* Two Northern Kentucky schools were in the Bottom Ten: Silver Grove School with a score of 40.6 and Sixth District Elementary School in Covington with 50.
* No Elementary School in NKY ranked among those with “biggest gains.” Covington’s Sixth District showed one of the largest declines, a -17.5.
* Gray Middle School in Boone County was among the Top Ten Middle Schools with an 82.9 score.
* Among the Bottom 10 Middle Schools were Covington’s Holmes Middle School with 47.3 score and Silver Grove Independent which ranked 50.2.
* Beechwood Independent High School and Walton-Verona High School are ranked 4th and 5th as Top High Schools in the state, with scores of 87.5 and 86.8.
* Silver Grove School and Homes High School are among the bottom 10 — with scores of 58.7 and 65.4.
* Ranking among the high schools with the biggest declines in scores is Silver Grove Independent with a -12.3 change.
BOONE COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
Thornwilde Elementary School, Conner High School, Boone County High School, Charles H. Kelly Elementary School, and Walton-Verona High School received Distinguished ratings.
Ockerman Middle School received a Distinguished/Progressing rating and was recognized as a High Performing School.
Longbranch Elementary,North Pointe Elementary, Ryle High School, Erpenbeck Elementary, Shirley Mann Elementary, Gray Middle School were rated Distinguished/Progressing as well as Schools of Distinction.
Conner Middle School was named Distinguished/Progressing as well as School of Distinction/High Progress School.
CAMPBELL COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
Crossroad Elementary School earned Distinguished/Progressing and High Performing School designations.
John W. Reiley Elementary, Highlands High School, Johnson Elementary earned Distinguished ratings.
Campbell County High School, Donald E. Cline Elementary School, Highlands Middle School and Woodfill Elementary School earned Distinguished/Progressing ratings and were named Schools of Distinction.
Grant’s Lick Elementary School and Moyer Elementary School received a Distinguished/Progressive ranting as well as School of Distinction/High Progress School recognitions.
Dayton Middle School and Dayton High School were named Distinguished/Progressing and Priority Schools.
KENTON COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS:
A bright spot for the Covington Independent School District is Glenn O. Swing Elementary in Covington. It out-performed all elementary schools in Kenton County, ranking 20th the state, earning Distinguished rating despite demographics — such as high homelessness rates and high percentage of students classified as “special education” — that might influence expectations.
Erlanger-Elsmere schools reached “Distinguished” status this year, increasing its overall score by 6.4 points. For the second consecutive year, Lloyd Memorial High School ranked in the top 10 percent of high schools in the state, earning a “Distinguished” ranking. Lindeman Elementary is ranked in the top 10 percent of elementary schools in the state, earning a Distinguished/Progressing classification — and notice as a High Performing/High Progress School. Arnett Elementary earned a Distinguished rating for the second consecutive year and is also among the top 10 percent of elementary schools in Kentucky.
Twenhoffel Middle School and Ryland Heights Elementary School earned Distinguished/Progressing ratings and were names High Performing Schools.
Dixie Heights High School, Piner Elementary School, Ft. Wright Elementary, Beechwood Elementary, Middle and High School earned Distinguished ratings.
Beechgrove Elementary School and R.C. Hinsdale Elementary earned Distinguished/Progressing ranking and were named Schools of Distinction.
Kenton Elementary School earned Distinguished/Progressing rating and was named School of Distinction/High Progress School.
