Only Madison Elementary makes AYP
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
According to preliminary spring SOL testing results announced last week by Caroline County Public Schools, all six schools are again fully accredited while, despite overall gains in reading and math throughout the schools, only Madison Elementary made "Adequate Yearly Progress." Of 29 required indicators, Bowling Green Primary and Elementary met 25, Lewis and Clark Elementary had 27, and Caroline Middle and Caroline High School had 26.
Across Virginia AYP has declined, with just 12 of the state's 132 school divisions making AYP, compared with 60 the previous year. "The funding cuts over the past two years have had a direct impact on instruction," said Superintendent Greg Killough and Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Broaddus in a press release sent out Wednesday, Aug. 11. Twenty four instructors were cut last year – 12 teachers and 12 teaching assistants. Supplies and programs were also cut. An additional 12 instructors were cut this year. The schools now have 302 teachers. The Central Office analysis showed a need for improvement in three areas: increasing performance for the economically disadvantaged, boosting test scores for students with disabilities and increasing graduation rates.
This is the first year graduation rates have been an AYP indicator, with 80 percent required. Caroline had 67.6 percent. Dr. Killough said on Friday he will work to improve the transition from 8th to 9th grade which is where many students fall behind, creating an "avalanche" of discouragement that leads to their dropping out. "Once they become juniors and seniors however, they tend to graduate," he said. "It's not a question of brightness," he added. "They need support to guide and pull them along."
Because many Caroline students lack family support, Killough is working to increase mentoring. To that effect, last week he met with five pastors and will soon meet with the Chamber of Commerce. The next Pastors Meeting is Thursday, Sept. 16, at the School Board Office at the Annex, 11 a.m. Pastors with questions should call 633-5088. This is the second year all six Caroline schools have been fully accredited.