Test results from the now somewhat federal student testing system known as NCLB (No Child Left Behind) are once again in and as in years past, the local school district as a whole had some “mixed” results. However, despite only two schools meeting the full APY (Adequate Yearly Progress) under the testing system, overall students for the most part continue to show some improvement in most core subject areas.

(A table of contents showing bottom line scores and percentages for each school in each subject area can be found at the conclusion of this article.)

Dr. Paula Little, Instructional Supervisor with the Clinton County School District, discussed the most recent NCLB results earlier this week and reviewed each school’s scores.

Little noted that this is the first time under No Child Left Behind that the elementary grades tested that are considered by NCLB, did not obtain its yearly APY.

“We’re a little disappointed with the (elementary) scores, but there still are some bright spots,” she said, adding, “I feel confident that the schools will make strong improvements next year because it takes two years in a row of not making APY before a school is classified as needing improvement.”

The elementary third and fourth grade scores were equivalent to or above the state average. The fifth grade is also classified as elementary grade level under No Child Left Behind, and those scores are of the most concern, according to Little.

In Clinton County students in the third and fourth grades are housed at Albany Elementary School, while fifth grade students, while still considered to be in elementary school, are housed at Clinton County Middle School.

Reading scores were still good and AES was just a few points from the federal goal line. Little said there were a few underlying reasons over the past school year that may have had adverse affects on the testing and ultimate test results.

Clinton County Middle School, with students in grades six, seven and eight tested, showed great improvement in about every subject area, Little said. She noted that sixth grade math scores improved by 28 percent over last year, but that overall improvement was shown at the middle school level.

Although not scoring enough to meet all 10 out 10 goals, being somewhat in the middle of the road as far as not making glaring progress, improvement was shown in primary areas in some grades in math and reading. “All grades (at CCMS) are now above the state in reading, as well as sixth grade math and the seventh and eighth grades ‘are closing fast’ on the state average,” Little continued.

As far as the high school, which in years past has not done as well comparably to other schools, showed “tremendous improvement in almost every area,” Little noted. CCHS scores were equal or ahead of state averages in almost all areas.

“The high school faculty, administration and students worked very hard to ensure that the school did not have negative consequences from NCLB,” Little said.

Last year, the high school did not meet its APY, putting the school in a difficult situation and in need to improve its scores this year to keep from being classified as a school that needs improvement, and CCHS emerged successful in that goal.

A couple of other alternate areas that Dr. Little discussed, but is rarely publicized although important to aspects in education, is “alternate access” and English as a second language assessment.”

The alternate assessment tests students with severe disabilities. “Teachers give the tests and gauge the students’ progress,” said Little. The district’s FMD teachers did an outstanding job with the population of students with severe disabilities and the test scores this year reflect that.

Also an area required in the NCLB test are those who speak English as a ‘second language.’ The Instructional Supervisor said school counselors develop program plans and conduct testing with these students and they also did an excellent job, which again shows in this year’s Acronym Access Test scores.

Dr. Little said that as far as the upcoming years testing, school districts know how the Kentucky Accountability Testing System will be structured. However, they don’t know if Kentucky will receive any federal waivers that exempt them from parts of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Recently, NCLB has been questioned somewhat by lawmakers and a few educators and several states are seeking–and some have received–federal waivers to abolish portions of the testing system. Kentucky has applied for such waivers but as of now hasn’t been notified as to whether or not those waivers will be granted.

About the most recent local student test results, Dr. Little said, “Although we certainly have areas where we need to continue to progress, Clinton County is one of the few districts in the state with no school receiving adverse consequences from NCLB. We will continue to work hard, do our best and celebrate the progress that our students make.”