New Kent test scores above state average, CC vows to improve

Charles City and New Kent County schools recently received results from its Standard of Learning (SOL) testing. While Charles City school board members vowed for changes to improve scores, New Kent administration received pleasant surprises when results were released on Aug. 20.

Despite a difficulty increase in English and science during this year’s testing, New Kent schools minimized a drop-off in scores, fairing significantly better than a majority of the state. New Kent also improved in mathematics, upping scores in the rigorous test.

New Kent posted a 75 percent passing rate in 26 out of 34 subject areas, with 10 of those areas having 25 percent of students passing with an advanced score. All subject areas achieved a 65 percent passing rate, with only eighth grade middle school math falling below that mark. Compared to the state average that focuses on 16 core subjects, New Kent met or exceeded in 12 of those areas, prompting high praise from superintendent of schools Dr. Rick Richardson.

“It’s hard to state how proud we are with our staff, administration, and teachers,” said Richardson in a phone interview. “It shows that we continually improve and I know the administration and school board are proud.

“Our principals and teachers continue to share information, create initiatives with teacher programs and work together between schools,” continued the superintendent. “We know it takes a lot of hard work and we don’t take anything for granted.”

Ross Miller, director of testing, compared testing from last year to this year, deferring credit to teachers.

“I don’t think it was the test, but the teachers changed questioning and were better prepared,” he said. “We didn’t have any real issues this year. I just think teachers were better prepared.”

Director of curriculum and instruction Nate Collins said while there is no direct correlation between high SOL scores and student graduation rates, a trend is emerging.

“If you look at the graduating class from last year, 60 percent of them passed SOLs with advance scores and were taking advance courses,” Collins said. “More students are taking advance courses such as math, and you see that with middle school students taking Algebra I and higher math courses.”

Richardson also commented, saying while he doesn’t expect scores to lure more students to New Kent, education continues to improve. Virginia’s Department of Education is projecting an enrollment increase of 110 students, bringing the total student population to more than 3,000.

“We are going to continue to provide the best education with the resources we have,” concluded Richardson.

In Charles City, the ramped difficulty in science and English were evident. Only end of the year English, end of the year writing, and fifth grade science remained above the 80 percent passing threshold. Charles City did improve test scores in the areas of fifth grade writing, civics and economics, U.S. History I, VA studies, World History II, VA/US History, and Geometry, a trend that director of special services Patricia Alexander hopes to continue.

“We know where we have to go,” said Alexander at the Aug. 20 Charles City school board meeting. “We will have to try different things and different strategies to keep going in this direction.”

While at-large school board member Steve Fuhrmann likes the improvement in those categories, he commented on the entire school division and a trend he noticed when reviewing scores.

“I like the improvements in the high school, but it must be kept like that,” said Fuhrmann. “But there is a sharp, sharp decline in the middle school. The elementary school had both improvement and decline, but it is not consistent.”

Fuhrmann identified the school system’s rank compared to other localities, saying how it rated near the bottom. However, Alexander responded to Fuhrmann’s comment, saying the scores are not a reflection of the school system.

“Our kids are tired of hearing we’re at the bottom,” said Alexander. “We are not the worst. We are all in this together; the school board, teachers, parents, students. We will get better and we all want to do what’s best for this school system.”

District three representative Martha Harris echoed Alexander’s statement, saying it will take a joint effort from school officials and the community to continue to improve education in the county.

“We have to figure out what we can do to fix these scores,” Harris said. “Whether we’re at the top or bottom, we have to come to the table with suggestions and solutions.”

“I challenge every school board member to work to fix the problem,” she continued. “We’ve got to pull it together and make it work, so let’s get to work.”

Superintendent of schools Janet Crawley offered a few suggestions to help the process of improving scores.

“We have to make parents and students understand that education is a top priority,” she said. “We need to take a serious look at K-12 programs for math.

“The last few budgets we have been looking to cut instead of finding money for programs,” she continued. “We need to concentrate on things that we need to get done.”

School board chairwoman Barbara Crawley commented on the importance of parent involvement and how it impacts the school system.

“Getting parents involved is like pulling teeth,” commented the chairwoman. “But if we can get one of them to pull another one in, then we can get them involved.”

New SOLs were established in an effort to increase college readiness. Last year, mathematics courses received a revamping and this year, science and English tests were upgraded to a more difficult level. Social sciences (history, geography, and civics) are scheduled to receive a new test format for the 2013-14 school year.