Media release from Monday's board meeting
LOUISA- State- and Local-Testing Results Presented During the LC BOE October Meeting
Dr. Fletcher began the Academic Reporting section of the October Regular Board Meeting with some great news concerning Lawrence County High School and the average ACT of the Class of 2019. According to Dr. Fletcher, the Lawrence County School District had substantially increased its state ranking. Specifically, when compared with the 15th and 16th regions, the District was only outscored by Ashland, Russell, Pikeville, Paintsville, and Rowan County. LCHS also scored above state average in transition readiness and in graduation rate. While the results had several positives, Dr. Fletcher pointed out that the ACT mathematics scores fall below state average.
Dr. Fletcher also gave a report on the middle and elementary schools state testing results. Louisa Middle School was above state average in reading and led the county middle schools in both math and reading. Fallsburg Middle greatly surpassed the state average in social studies. Blaine Middle led the district in science and writing. As for the elementary schools, Louisa East scored well above the state average in reading and writing and led the county in these areas as well as in mathematics, science, and social studies. Dr. Fletcher also discussed the plans for addressing the very low writing scores from Blaine and Fallsburg Elementary
As part of the Academic Reporting, each principal gave a snapshot of his/her school’s STAR and MAP scores. Since the district decreased the number of tests that students were required to take, the reports looked a little different this year. Students that are in kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade take a reading readiness assessment. If the student reaches the readiness benchmark, then he/she enters into the scoring levels of novice, apprentice, proficient, and distinguished based on STAR assessments. This change greatly impacts the reports of the elementary schools, especially the reports of Louisa West.
According to Principal Debbie Delong, 100% of the kindergarten students took the reading readiness test, and the goal will be to have all students move to the STAR Reading assessment by the end of their 1st grade year. The same was also true for the kindergarten students at Blaine and Fallsburg. Blaine Principal Shawn Jennings shared his goals for Grades 3-5 and 6-8, which included a focus on the students that qualify for free/reduced lunch. Even though Fallsburg Principal Sara Bowen reported a great start for the reading scores at Fallsburg, she discussed the focus on mathematics that must occur in her building. Louisa East Principal Anna Prince presented a plan to the Board that made mathematics the number one priority for providing intervention for struggling students. Louisa Middle Principal Joe Cecil discussed the double-digit increases in the percentage of proficient students at Louisa Middle, while LCHS Principal Christy Moore focused on using the MAP scores as a predictor of the ACT.
The Board also approved the Audited Financial Report that was presented by Auditor Darrell Blair, the rescheduling of the November meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday break, and other items from the consent agenda.
The next meeting for the LCBOE will be November 15th, a special meeting in lieu of the regular November board meeting.
All In,
Robbie L. Fletcher, EdD
Superintendent, Lawrence County Schools