Eleven Onslow schools did not meet growth standards

Six fewer Onslow County schools met growth standards in the 2008-09 school year than 2007-08, according to the recently released state ABC’s of Public Education report.

Dixon Middle, Jacksonville Commons Middle, New Bridge Middle, Queens Creek Elementary, Northwoods Park Middle, Southwest Elementary and Summersill Elementary schools received School of Progress, High Growth status — a designation reached by meeting expected growth and having at least 60 percent of students’ scores at or above achievement level III.

Achievement level III is the standard of student performance based on 10 mandated end-of-course tests — including algebra, biology, English, geometry, history, physical science and physics — at the high school level and end of grade tests in reading and math in grades 3-8 and science in grades 5 and 8.

Growth is determined by following individual students’ academic performance from the end of one school year to the end of the next school year, according to a news release from the Public Schools of North Carolina.

All but five schools met their expected growth standards in the 2007-08 school year. During the 2008-09 school year, 11 schools received a no recognition status.

Despite fewer schools not meeting the standards this year, Onslow County Schools Superintendent Kathy Spencer is still proud of the results.

 “We are extremely proud of the continued progress being shown across the school system,” said Spencer. “The work of the entire school community across our system has had a continued impact on the growth of our students. We look forward to the opportunity of making additional progress.”

Onslow County Board Chairwoman Margaret Brown said she had not had a chance to go over the results thoroughly and could not comment on the results.

“Our staff makes every effort to provide timely and accurate information to the media and all stakeholders,” she wrote in an e-mail to The Daily News.  “Please be advised that the report to which you refer is being massaged by the testing coordinator.  She will report her findings at our September board meeting. That information will also be shared with the media (at that time).”

Several schools received designation as a School of Distinction, which means they made expected growth and had at least 80 percent of students’ scores at or above achievement level III.

New Bridge Middle, Parkwood Elementary and Swansboro Elementary schools had the highest performance composite scores and each received School of Distinction status.

New Bridge Middle School’s composite score was 89.2 percent, Parkwood Elementary School’s score was 80.9 percent and Swansboro Elementary School’s score was 81.8 percent.

The performance composite indicates what percentage of students’ scores are at or above grade level within each school, according to N.C. Public Schools.

Of all North Carolina public schools, 502 schools, or 20.3 percent, were Schools of Distinction, according to the Public Schools of North Carolina news release.

Carolina Forest Elementary School, Jacksonville High School and Silverdale Elementary School did not meet expected growth rate standards in 2007-08, but received School of Progress, Expected Growth status in the 2008-09 report.  

This is the 13th year of North Carolina’s ABC’s report, under the federal No Child Left Behind, Elementary and Secondary Education Act measures.  

Contact Suzanne Ulbrich at 910-219-8454 or sulbrich@freedomenc.com.