Covington and Newport Transition Index

Kentucky schools are improving too slowly, according to an analysis of state test scores released today by three statewide groups.

The analysis, presented in a "Transition Index Report," was developed by the Council for Better Education, the Kentucky Association of School Councils, and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence to monitor school performance during the three years that Kentucky is moving from the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System to a system based on new state standards and testing. The new system was mandated in legislation (Senate Bill 1) enacted by the 2009 General Assembly.

The Transition Index is based on a formula similar to the one used in past years by the Kentucky Department of Education to gauge school progress. The partner groups applied the formula to state test scores for 2009, which were released today, along with those for 2007 and 2008. From the analysis, the groups conclude that:

· Elementary and middle school mathematics results and high school writing have shown important improvement.
· Reading scores have been flat or declining statewide.
· Scores in other subjects have been flat, declining or improving only slowly.

Looking at combined results for all subjects, the analysis found:

· 56 percent of elementary schools have reached proficiency or are improving at a rate that would take them to that mark by 2014.
· 44 percent of middle schools have reached proficiency or would reach it by 2014 at the current pace of growth.
· Only 15 percent of high schools would reach proficiency by 2014 if recent trends continue.

"An index provides the big picture on whether schools' strategies are working with kids," said Ronda Harmon, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Councils. "We see this transition project as a way to help schools measure their progress until the new 2012 assessment begins." Harmon added that her organization views the Transition Index project as a voluntary way for educators, parents and others to "see the big picture" in results from the Kentucky Core Content Tests.

Local Data for Covington and Newport

The transition index columns summarize school results in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and on-demand writing in a single number. 140 is the maximum possible index and would reflect all students doing distinguished work in all subjects. 100 is equivalent to a schoolwide average of proficient work in all subjects.

The status column indicates how schools are doing in relation to reaching 100 by 2014, with five possible entries:

• Already 100+ indicates a school that has already reached 100 or higher.
• On track for 100 indicates schools that will reach 100 by 2014 if they continue to improve at their 2007 to 2009 rate.
• Improving schools are making progress but not at a rate quick enough to reach 100.
• Flat for schools where the 2007 and 2009 results are the same.
• Declining schools had 2009 results lower than their 2007 results.
• New schools have not been in operation long enough to project whether they will reach 100.

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COVINGTON
Elementary- 2007: 73, 2008: 76, 2009: 84; On track to 100
Middle- 2007:58, 2008: 62, 2009: 62; Improving
High- 2007: 58, 2008: 57, 2009: 59; Improving

NEWPORT
Elementary- 2007: 83, 2008: 86, 2009: 85; Improving
Middle- 2007: 73, 2008: 76, 2009: 82; On track to 100
High- 2007: 60, 2008: 63, 2009: 75; On track to 100

The full report is available at http://www.kasc.net, along with results for each school and district in Kentucky. An additional report on achievement gap trends will be released by the same groups on October 7, 2007.