The Kentucky Department of Education has released the 2018-2019 Assessment and Accountability results, with a new look and emphasis on proficiency, growth and transition readiness.
The three-year journey to the revamped accountability system reflects changes in state and federal laws under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The process has culminated in a 5-star rating system for schools, designed to increase familiarity and transparency. All Grayson County schools received a three-star rating, reflecting both many positives across the district, as well as opportunities for growth.
At the elementary and middle school levels, schools received scores in three areas: proficiency, based on reading and math tests; separate academic indicator, based on science, social studies and writing tests; and growth, based on year over year individual student academic progress in reading and math.
High schools received scores in proficiency, based on reading and math sections of the ACT, separate academic indicator subjects of science and writing, graduation rate, and transition readiness, or the percentage of graduates who demonstrate academic or career readiness through AP and/or dual credit coursework, industry certifications, work experience and other criteria.
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Comparison of Grayson County schools to bordering county’s schools in overall score, state rank and percentile:
Elementary schools
All four Grayson County elementary schools earned a 3-star rating, with Clarkson Elementary recording the highest overall score of 65.6, placing it 360th out of 725 elementary schools in the state (50.3 percentile) – Caneyville Elementary scored 65.1, placing it 383rd in the state (47.2 percentile) – Wilkey Elementary scored 65.0, placing it 387th in the state (46.6 percentile) – Lawler Elementary scored 61.2, placing it 487th in the state (32.8 percentile).
Only three elementary schools in surrounding counties earned a 4-star rating: Kyrock Elementary in Edmonson County (overall score 76.3, 70th in the state, 92.3 percentile), Munfordville Elementary in Hart County (overall score 75.3, 90th in the state, 87.6 percentile) and Lincoln Trail Elementary in Elizabethtown (overall score 71.4, 183rd in state, 74.6 percentile).
Middle schools
Grayson County Middle School was given a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 67.2, placing it 101st out of 319 middle schools in the state (68.4 percentile).
The highest performing middle school from surrounding counties was Edmonson County Middle School, which earned a 4-star rating, with an overall score of 70.1, placing it 59th in the state (81.5 percentile).
Remaining middle schools from surrounding counties in order of performance — East Hardin Middle School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 69.0, placing it 76th in the state (76.2 percentile) — Breckinridge County Middle School and TK Stone Middle School in Elizabethtown tied with a 3-star rating and overall score of 67.6, placing the schools tied for 92nd in the state (71.2 percentile) – Ohio County Middle School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 67.2, tying it with GCMS at 101st in the state (68.4 percentile) – James T. Alton Middle School in Hardin County earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 63.6, placing it 153 in the state (52.0 percentile) — Butler County Middle School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score 62.1, placing it 180th in the state (43.6 percentile) – West Hardin Middle School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 59.4, placing it 223rd in the state (30.0 percentile) – North Hardin Middle School earned a 2-star rating, with an overall score of 55.3, placing it 273rd in the state (14.4 percentile) – Bluegrass Middle School in Hardin County earned a 2-star rating, with an overall score of 54.2, placing it 283rd in the state (11.3 percentile).
High schools
Grayson County High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 62.9, placing it 141st out of the state’s 228 high schools (38.2 percentile).
The highest performing high school from surrounding counties, and the only high school in the area to earn a 4-star rating, was Elizabethtown High School, which recorded and overall score of 76.5, placing it 22nd in the state (90.4 percentile).
Remaining high schools from surrounding counties in order of performance – Ohio County High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 72.1, placing it 49th in the state (78.5 percentile) – Edmonson County High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 68.0, placing it 86th in the state (62.3 percentile) – John Hardin High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 66.3, placing it 100th in the state (56.1 percentile) – Breckinridge County High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 66.0, placing it 103rd in the state (54.8 percentile) – Central Hardin High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 65.5, placing it 109th in the state (52.2 percentile) – North Hardin High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 62.8, placing it 143 in the state (37.3 percentile) – Hart County High School earned a 3-star rating, with an overall score of 62.5, placing it 149th in the state (34.6 percentile) – Butler County High School earned a 2-star rating, with an overall score of 57.2, placing it 190th in the state (16.7 percentile).
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According to Superintendent Doug Robinson, both state and local focus is increasingly concentrated on transition readiness, or how schools are preparing students for life after high school. He added that the district’s work-based learning program and its Profile of a Graduate initiative will be powerful tools in meeting that goal.
“We continue to increase the opportunities available to students to learn about careers in a hands-on way through our work-based learning program, mentoring at the middle school, CTE training and certifications,” Robinson said. “The addition of Transition Coordinator Brandi Lee has increased our momentum in providing workplace opportunities, and we’ve been excited with the degree of enthusiasm local businesses have shown in hosting our students.”
“In addition to AP and dual credit coursework, students also have the ability to graduate high school with both their diploma and an associate degree,” he continued. ‘They have more opportunities than ever before to learn and apply the life- and future-ready skills they’ll need after they leave Grayson County Schools.”
Student achievement showed several bright spots across the board, as the percentage of elementary students attaining Proficient and Distinguished status exceeded state averages in all areas except social studies.
At the elementary level, proficient and distinguished writing percentages were a particular bright spot compared to state averages. Collectively, the schools handily bested state averages in all subjects except social studies. Individually, each school had at least one subject area that surpassed state averages, and most were higher in all areas except social studies.
GCMS widely outperformed statewide proficiency and separate academic indicator scores in all subjects except science, falling short by only a very slim margin.
High school proficiency, determined through ACT math and reading benchmarks, was well ahead of state averages in math, but slightly short in reading. The district was recently named one of 12 Bright Spot districts statewide due to high school Math ACT scores.
The school’s graduation rate stood at 92.1 percent, compared to the state’s 91.1.
While the school’s Transition Rate, or student preparedness to successfully transition to postsecondary education and/or the workforce stood at 62.3 compared to the state’s 66.8, nearly half of 2018 graduates were considered academic ready, and nearly one-third earned career ready designation. Of those, 15 percent of graduates earned industry certification in their chosen field.
“We continue to make progress,” Robinson said. “There are also real opportunities for improvement and growth, as we work to prepare every student to successfully transition from high school to the real world. It’s not just about being ready for college or career anymore. It’s about being ready for life and equipped with tangible and intangible skills for success in whatever path they choose.”
“Thanks to the dedication and tireless efforts of our teachers and staff, we’re heading in the right direction. Thanks to open communication, feedback and tremendous support from our community we’re able to provide more opportunities and create the kind of win-wins that will benefit our students, our workforce and all of Grayson County.”
The new five-star rating system for schools went into effect Oct. 1 The ratings will be displayed on each school’s report card on the Kentucky Department of Education’s website.
By Ken Howlett, News Director and Grayson County Schools
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
