ACHIEVEMENT GAP NARROWS: EOG READING SCORES RISE AT ALL GRADE LEVELS
July 13, 2001 - Wake County Public School System students in grades 3-8 have posted the highest End of Grade reading scores in the district's history, proof that the school system's concentrated efforts to reach Goal 2003 are working. Gains by minority students are especially remarkable and serve as strong indicators that the school system's troubling Achievement Gap is narrowing.
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| Superintendent Bill McNeal says the latest End-of-Grade testing scores are cause to celebrate. |
"Wake County has cause to celebrate," said Superintendent Bill McNeal. "What you see here is not just a set of numbers, but a testament to the great things that can happen for children, when an entire community works on their behalf."
McNeal cites four major reasons for the excellent results.
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Hard work, creative thinking, and unwavering dedication of teachers, principals, and staff members,
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Community support, through organizations such as the Wake Education Partnership, Communities in Schools, PTA,Chambers of Commerce, local businesses, the faith community, municipal leaders, and countless other groups that provide volunteers or find innovative ways to help children,
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Alignment of priorities toward Goal 2003, continuous improvement strategies, and realignment of resources toward the specific target of helping children succeed,
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Additional resources, most notably a $6 million allocation that occurred when Wake County converted funds that had been set aside for buildings and facilities. Instead, the money paid for additional literacy teachers, after school classes and materials, tutoring, and other key components of Wake's bold Accelerated Learning Program developed for those students who are below grade level.
All grade levels showed gains. More than 90% of students in grades 5 and 8 are at or above grade level. More than 85% of students in grades 3,4,5,7,8 are at grade level or above. Eighty percent of Wake's 6th graders are at grade level or above.
Especially significant in the 2000-2001 results are gains made by black students. The results show a marked improvement in gap between performance by white students and black students, though both ethnic groups boosted their performance.
Superintendent McNeal has established the closing of the Achievement Gap as a key focus area for the upcoming 2001-2002 school year.
"Let this data serve notice to all of Wake County that it can be done," said McNeal. "We have evidence of what is working, and we have momentum. With that, Wake is poised to do what few school systems have been able to accomplish-close the gap; reach the goal."
The Reading scores bring even more good news to Wake County. The figures show strong gains across grade levels over time. For example, third-graders in 1996 were eighth-graders in 2001. This same group or 'cohort' of students left third grade in 1996 with 76% at or above grade level. By the time they left eighth grade last May, more than 90% of this same group of students was at grade level or above in reading.
"Marked improvement over time indicates that the students are getting better and better," said Dr. Karen Banks, assistant superintendent for evaluation and research. "When all cohorts show gains in achievement from year-to-year, that is undeniable evidence of a high quality academic program which is constantly improving its teaching and learning."
Wake, like other North Carolina districts, is still awaiting the results of the EOG Math scores. A glitch in scoring has delayed the release of the scores until later this summer. The EOG tests are an important part of North Carolina's accountability program known as "ABCs" where combined scores serve as the basis for rewards or corrective action for individual schools.
The latest Wake scores represent a substantial jump in one year; however, some of the initiatives that brought about the increase have been in place for some time. Wake's early literacy program, begun in the late 90s, is one example. The program begins in Kindergarten to assure a solid foundation for children by the time they take the EOG tests, beginning in third grade. Another example is the Accelerated Learning Program which was implemented two years ago for students who are below grade level.
While Wake's outstanding performance is a source of pride to Superintendent McNeal, the scope of the effort defies definition. "When I think about all of the dedicated individuals who have made this happen, I am truly humbled," McNeal said. "To each and everyone who got onboard this train, I say 'thank you.' And I ask you to stick around. We're picking up speed and headed for 2003."
Wake County Public School System Reading Achievement Levels Over Time
Percentage of Students at Levels III and IV
|
Grade
|
1995
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1996
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1997
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1998
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1999
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2000
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2001
|
|
3
|
74.4
|
76.3
|
75.3
|
79.3
|
80.4
|
83.1
|
85.3
|
|
4
|
75.2
|
79.9
|
78.7
|
80.3
|
80.8
|
81.6
|
85.9
|
|
5
|
79.6
|
77.7
|
80.3
|
84.3
|
84.8
|
87.7
|
90.8
|
|
6
|
76.8
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78.8
|
77.8
|
78.8
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80.7
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77.9
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80.7
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|
7
|
80.2
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78.1
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78.6
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80.5
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84.9
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84.4
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85.1
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|
8
|
84.0
|
82.8
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83.3
|
86.4
|
87.1
|
88.7
|
90.6
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2001 End-of-Grade Reading Results for Wake County Public School System
Percentage of students who scored at Level III and Level IV
|
Category
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Grade 3
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Grade 4
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Grade 5
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Grade 6
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Grade 7
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Grade 8
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Total System
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85.3
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85.9
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90.8
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80.7
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85.1
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90.6
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White
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93.8
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94.7
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96.7
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91.2
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93.9
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96.5
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Black
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65.9
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65.3
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76.8
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56.7
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64.4
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75.9
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Male
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83.6
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84.5
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89.8
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78.7
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83.8
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88.8
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Female
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87.0
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87.3
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91.7
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82.8
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86.4
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92.3
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