Five Liberty County schools failed to make adequate yearly progress, according to education officials, and BoE Chairwoman Lily Baker says she is “very alarmed.”
“I’m very disappointed in these numbers,” Baker said during Tuesday’s school board meeting when specific scores were presented.
Bradwell Institute, Lewis Frasier Middle School, Liberty County High, Liberty Elementary School and Midway Middle School appear on the state’s list of “did not meet 2007 AYP” schools.
Four of the five schools that had difficulties showed test scores demonstrating problems with math.
Only Liberty Elementary School showed difficulties in a subject other than math. English language arts, was shown to be a problem there.
Board member Carol Guyett said she was not surprised by the low math scores. She pointed out that students have been used as “guinea pigs” for new math curricula for several consecutive years and the system is now paying a price for that.
Guyett said students need a chance to master one skill before moving on to another.
The “does not meet” label applies to grades K-5 at LES.
Baker also expressed concern at the racial groups that appeared to lower school averages
“The black figures sort of jump off the page at you,” she said.
The state reported that at Liberty High, 41 percent had test scores indicating they did not meet math standards on the Georgia High School Graduation Test.
Of the five schools, this figure ranged down to 18.2 percent of black students who did not meet the standards on the CRCT reading/language arts test.
The board and administration have plans — some specific and some still developing — to deal with test scores.
Interim Superintendent Harley Grove said he has ideas for improving test scores. Member Becky Carter said Liberty County schools must retain good personnel. And Baker reiterated her determination to enforce accountability.
In other business
The board decided to discuss their search for a superintendent during their July 24 workshop. Baker said they would focus on how to include the community in the process.
“I’m very disappointed in these numbers,” Baker said during Tuesday’s school board meeting when specific scores were presented.
Bradwell Institute, Lewis Frasier Middle School, Liberty County High, Liberty Elementary School and Midway Middle School appear on the state’s list of “did not meet 2007 AYP” schools.
Four of the five schools that had difficulties showed test scores demonstrating problems with math.
Only Liberty Elementary School showed difficulties in a subject other than math. English language arts, was shown to be a problem there.
Board member Carol Guyett said she was not surprised by the low math scores. She pointed out that students have been used as “guinea pigs” for new math curricula for several consecutive years and the system is now paying a price for that.
Guyett said students need a chance to master one skill before moving on to another.
The “does not meet” label applies to grades K-5 at LES.
Baker also expressed concern at the racial groups that appeared to lower school averages
“The black figures sort of jump off the page at you,” she said.
The state reported that at Liberty High, 41 percent had test scores indicating they did not meet math standards on the Georgia High School Graduation Test.
Of the five schools, this figure ranged down to 18.2 percent of black students who did not meet the standards on the CRCT reading/language arts test.
The board and administration have plans — some specific and some still developing — to deal with test scores.
Interim Superintendent Harley Grove said he has ideas for improving test scores. Member Becky Carter said Liberty County schools must retain good personnel. And Baker reiterated her determination to enforce accountability.
In other business
The board decided to discuss their search for a superintendent during their July 24 workshop. Baker said they would focus on how to include the community in the process.