County fifth-graders do well on state-mandated 'promotion' test

By Lynn Hotaling

Of the 291 Jackson County fifth-grade students who took the tests last week, 243 passed with the required level III and IV scores. Only two local students failed the math portion of the state test, said Assistant Superintendent Nancy Sherrill, and those two also failed reading.

School officials were pleased with the 83.5 percent success rate attained by local fifth-grade students. Countywide, 77.3 percent of fifth-graders passed the reading test and 96.6 passed the math portion.

"We feel really good about the fifth-grade scores," said Nancy Sherrill. Some 80 "at-risk" fifth-graders were identified last fall, but the failure rate was actually only half what was predicted, she said.

Math scores were particularly high, Sherrill said, giving local school officials cause to be suspicious. This year's math exam is new, and it's based on a new curriculum, she said.

"There is a big discrepancy between the reading and math scores," Sherrill told members of the Jackson County Board of Education Monday (May 21). "We're finding that all (math) scores are running high. State officals have assured us the scores will stand this year but said the test may be re-normed for next year.

"These are good scores, and we're proud of them, but we should take the math scores cautiously," Sherrill said.

Sherrill's concern has been echoed across the state. The News and Observer in Raleigh reported Tuesday that state Department of Public Instruction officials said they erred in setting scores because of inadequate field testing and stated that "the error will reduce the number of students who might have been forced to repeat a grade or sent to summer school for remedial help."

"These scores represent outstanding work by teachers, principals and the whole school team," said Superintendent Mack McCary. "Congratulations go to the whole team ­ particularly to the teachers and parents."

The 48 local children who did not pass the test on the first try took the test again earlier this week. Preliminary results indicate that 10 more passed, leaving the county with only 38 facing retention, for an overall success rate of 87 percent.

Those students will have an opportunity to improve their scores during four-week summer school sessions planned at Fairview and Blue Ridge, said Sherrill. The students must attend summer school if they wish to proceed to sixth grade.

After the summer session, students will be retested, and those achieving passing scores will move on to sixth grade, Sherrill said. Promotion decisions for those who fail the test but who have demonstrated grade-level proficiency in the classroom will be made by the child's principal based on recommendations from a countywide review committee.

The special summer school for fifth-graders, termed the Summer Academy, is not only for students who fail to pass state tests, according to Sherrill. Fifth-graders who fail to meet local standards will also be required to attend.

Local standards for promotion center around meeting classroom expectations with regard to completing assignments, homework, turning in work and meeting the school system's attendance policy, Sherrill said.

The Summer Academy is free to students who are required to attend because of low scores on state tests. Students who are required to attend due to their failure to meet local standards must pay $75.

Because state officials will implement the same sort of gateway for eighth-graders next year, eighth-graders who do not meet local standards will also be required to attend a summer session this year, Sherrill said.

Those programs, dubbed "Rookie Learning," will be held at Smoky Mountain High and Blue Ridge from June 11-June 22, Sherrill said, and are intended to make the transition to high school easier for eighth-graders who have failed to meet classroom expectations.

Eighth-graders attending the two-week session will be given an introduction to high school programs and will receive instruction in reading, math and study skills. The cost for that program will be $90.

"We feel this will decrease dropouts," Sherrill said. Students who fail to attend the summer program after being notified they are required to do so will repeat eighth grade, Sherrill said.

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