County, city schools
assess test scores

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
August 19, 2004
Most Lauderdale County elementary school students exceeded the state average in standardized test scores for reading, language and math, while most Meridian students performed below state averages.
But despite the scores on this year's Mississippi Curriculum Test, Meridian School Superintendent Sylvia Autry said Wednesday that this year's results show an improvement in student achievement.
The Mississippi Department of Education released scores Wednesday from standardized tests students took earlier this year including the MCT in elementary schools and the Subject Area Test in high schools.
Results from the tests will help determine each public school's accountability level, which measures a school's success in educating children. Accountability levels will be unveiled next month.
County results
The Mississippi Curriculum Test assesses the ability of second- through eighth-grade students in reading, language and math. Students are rated "minimal," "basic," "proficient" and "advanced."
In Lauderdale County, at least 60 percent of the students in grades 2 through 8 who took the MCT scored proficient or advanced in reading, language and math. The strongest scores came from early grade levels.
Second-graders as a whole in the county scored slightly below the state average in all three subjects. All other students as a whole, however, scored higher than the state average in all subjects.
The best scores were in math for second-graders: 63.4 percent were proficient and 28.3 percent were advanced. The results, however, weren't enough to push the county average for second-graders above the state average.
Lauderdale County School Superintendent David Little said he "is tickled" with the scores. Little predicted that each of county school's accreditation levels will improve this year.
City results
In Meridian, at least 40 percent of second- through eighth-graders scored proficient or advanced on the MCT. Like Lauderdale County, the strongest scores came from early grade levels.
At least 70 percent of second-, third- and fourth-graders were proficient or advanced in reading, language and math. The best score was second-grade math: 59.9 percent of the students were proficient and 25.3 percent were advanced.
Despite the scores, only fifth graders performed above the state average in language and math. All other grade level tests scored below the state average in reading, language and math.
Autry said Parkview Elementary made the biggest improvements. She also pointed to good scores at Crestwood, Harris Upper, Oakland Heights, West Hills, Poplar Springs, Kate Griffin and Magnolia Middle schools.
Carver Middle School scores remained steady, while West End Elementary decreased. The school district has hired a consulting firm to help low-performing schools like Carver, West End and Witherspoon Elementary.
Autry said she realizes the district has much work yet to do: "I think the teachers are taking the district-wide plan and putting it into practice, and they deserve a pat on the back."