ABCs scores released

Three Alleghany schools were named schools of progress, while one was named a school of distinction, according to performance composite information released recently by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

The most current information typically accompanies Accountability, Basics and Local Control (ABCs), but was not ready when data regarding expected and high growth was available in August.

Piney Creek School was named a school of distinction, meaning that the school made at least expected growth and had a least 80 percent of students' scores at or above a proficient level. Alleghany High School, Glade Creek School and Sparta Elementary Schools were named schools of progress, meaning that the school made at least expected growth and at least 60 percent of students' scores were at or above a proficient level.

Piney Creek attained the highest performance composite of the four county schools, attaining 81.1, with AHS receiving 70.1, Sparta with 69.4 and Glade 68.9. In 2007, Piney had the highest performance composite with 81.9, Sparta 75.3, Glade 74.6 and AHS 65.5.

The decrease in performance composite figures was felt throughout public schools in the state, noted a news release from DPI which indicated the state has been trying to raise reading standards over a period of time "because students need to perform at higher levels so they can graduate high school prepared to be competitive in today's labor market and at the community colleges and universities. These higher standards also better align North Carolina's expectations with the National Assessment of the Educational Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card."

The State Board of Education approved the new standards, established in the summer by practicing teachers in the state, in October. The approval marked the first inclusive increase to reading proficiency standards since the ABCs model was established in 1996.

 

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