Lawrence County Schools See District-Wide Success In State Testing

LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOLS COMBINED RATINGS

A Peak at KDE’s Dashboard for Our District

State testing ratings are given based on a school’s status score and growth in different indicators.  By state statute, the school’s current score must be equally combined with the growth (which can be positive or negative) in each indicator then combined for an overall rating for the school.  In the elementary and middle school setting, there are four indicators that are combined for the overall rating.  The high school setting adds two more indicators for the overall rating.

1. Reading and mathematics (combined)
2. Science, social studies, and writing (combined)
3. English language learner progress
4. Quality of school climate and safety
5. Postsecondary readiness (high school only)
6. Graduation rate (high school only)

DISTRICT COMPARISONS FOR 15^TH AND 16^TH REGIONS

LEXINGTON, LOUISVILLE, AND STATE RATINGS INCLUDED

A LOOK AT OUR SCHOOLS

Overall, our district compared well with surrounding districts.  When you look at the individual schools, we have some celebrations as well as some work to do.  While every school has some type of celebration indicator, every school also has areas to focus improvement efforts.  Here are some notes:

• Lawrence County High School had the biggest overall ratings gain in our district, moving from an “Orange” rating last year to a “Green” rating this year.
• Fallsburg Elementary was our school that almost crossed the “Blue” rating barrier and was only a couple of student scores away.
• Fallsburg Middle experienced nice increases in various indicators which allowed their rating to move from “Yellow” last year to “Green” this year.
• Similarly, Louisa East/West were only 0.2 points away from a “Green” rating. (Louisa West does not take any state tests for accountability, but they are the feeder school for Louisa East and receives the same rating.)
• Louisa Middle was able to maintain their “Yellow” rating from a year ago.
• One of the state “rules” for testing requires that 30 students be tested in an indicator area.Unfortunately, Blaine Elementary had 29 students to take the science, social studies, and writing portion of state testing.  This area had their highest increases when compared to last year, but the state did not include the score in their overall rating. We have asked the state to reconsider.  If this request is granted, Blaine Elementary will move from an “Orange” rating to a “Yellow” rating.
• Blaine Middle received a “Yellow” rating last year.As the year progressed, the science teacher resigned early in the year, and the math teacher resigned shortly after midyear.  The science position was filled and the schedule was rearranged to have a certified math teacher for the students, but these obstacles took their toll.  Thankfully, all positions are filled at Blaine Middle, and we expect gains in our next accountability cycle.

As a superintendent, I am very happy for our district overall.  We have several areas to celebrate, but we are always looking for ways to improve, regardless of a color rating.  Thank you to our students, staff, and community members for your hard work in educating our kids each and every day and thank you to each for being ALL IN!

All IN,

Dr. Robbie Fletcher

Superintendent, Lawrence County Schools