The Kentucky Department of Education has released the Spring 2021 K-PREP test scores for all Kentucky school districts, including Christian County, on the Kentucky School Report Card in compliance with federal reporting laws.
District Assessment Coordinator Zachary Hibbs presented the data to local media Tuesday and explained that because of the challenges of testing students at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky received approval from the U.S. Department of Education for an accountability waiver. Because of that, he said the data is based on the performance of the students who actually took the test, which he explained is different than normal.
click to download audioHe also pointed out that K-PREP is no more and the 2021-22 summative assessment system will operate under a new title, the Kentucky Summative Assessments (KSA), where schools resume assessments consistent with the regular accountability. As a result, Hibbs said the process for student testing was changed and the results from this year’s tests may look very different than previous school years.
Hibbs said the elementary, middle and high schools percentages for reading were below the state’s proficient average. As far as the state’s percentages for demographics, he said they were discouraged when they got the numbers because they thought the gaps that existed had gotten wider, instead he said the district is in line with the state.
click to download audioHibbs noted that the district’s Hispanic students were higher than the state’s proficiency percentages in reading.
In math, Hibbs said the elementary and middle schools exceeded the state’s average for proficiency, while the district was very close to the state’s proficiency in science.
click to download audioAccording to Hibbs, the ACT results showed the district’s composite score at 17 compared to the state’s composite score of 18.
click to download audioAnd he said the district’s 2021 graduation rate in the 4th and 5th-year cohort was above the state average,
click to download audioHe reiterated the important number to look at is the participation rate, which is different in each district in the state.
click to download audioHibbs along with Assistant Superintendent Jessica Addison each said they know the areas they need to work on and the data has confirmed that the district is headed in the right direction to close the gaps.
The Kentucky School Report Card can be accessed at the following website: https://www.kyschoolreportcard.com.
