High school state testing scores are incrementally increasing after … – WPSD Local 6

PADUCAH Educators state-wide are trying to close the gap for students who retained less knowledge from hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kentucky Department of Education released the state's test results on Tuesday for the 2022-2023 Kentucky Summative Assessment, a benchmark exam given in grades 3 through 8, 10, and 11.

The results showed most schools had a yearly incremental increase since 2020, but it is clear that growth needs to continue.

While most high schools in western Kentucky exceeded the state average, some fell below.

The Kentucky Summative Assessment grades the assessments using Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, and Distinguished.

Schools strive for students to receive Proficient and Distinguished grades. Apprentice is considered below average, and Novice is considered far below standard.

State-wide, the average percentage of high school students that earned a Proficient or Distinguished in reading was 44%. The state-wide average in math was 33%.

Paducah Tilghman High School and Marshall County High School were the only schools to perform below the state average.

The graph below shows how students in western Kentucky performed on the state assessments last year and the year after COVID.

With a few exceptions, schools are seeing improvement in student performance since switching back to in-person classes, and educators are motivated to do what it takes to close the gap.

Ballard Memorial High School tested 12% above the reading average and 33% above the math average.

Ballard Memorial High School tested 12% above the reading average and 33% above the math average.

Principal Tim Adams said the school has programs to maximize student learning.

"We utilize two things here at school. We utilize mastery prep for the ACT, and we utilize i-Ready, which is for our sophomores and freshmen in math and reading," Adams explained.

The i-Ready software allows the administration to assess areas where students need more help.

Principal Tim Adams said the school has programs to maximize student learning.

"Incrementally, we assess those students three times a year, and that allows us to get feedback on their learning...and make adjustments in their instruction," Adams said.

Adams said by preparing students for college and integrating them into career pathways at the Career Technical Center, they receive a quality education.

"When you combine those together, we challenge our students academically in math, science, English, and social studies, but we also provide them the career areas as well," Adams said.

McCracken County High School tested 7% above the state average in reading and 7% above the average in math.

McCracken County Superintendent Josh Hunt said the schools in the district conduct benchmark assessments.

"What we do is take the data from the benchmarks and look at it just like we would state testing data. We look for the gaps. We look at where our weaknesses are," Hunt said.

By adjusting the curriculum throughout the year, students' weaknesses are addressed.

"A lot of our professional learning committees, our communities, and our meetings with our staff are about finding out as we go to more of an individualized approach," Hunt said. "Let's know where each student is and if their individual needs are being met."

Ballard County Schools and McCracken County say ARPA funding during COVID has been a big help to teachers and staff over the past three years.

They've used it to help with tutoring and other student services, but next September, that money will run out.

School officials with Ballard say they hope it won't impact test scores, but they say it is a possibility.

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High school state testing scores are incrementally increasing after ... - WPSD Local 6