HALIFAX — Preliminary test scores are in for Halifax County Schools and Superintendent Geraldine Middleton reported significant improvements in the district’s academic achievement.

Superintendent Geraldine Middleton, right, held a press conference Tuesday when she announced preliminary test score results from the district’s Adequate Yearly Progress and ABC Education Model testing. Della Batts | Daily Herald Advertisement

During a press conference Tuesday, she said six of the county’s 14-schools meeting Adequate Yearly Progress as part of the federal No Child Left Behind standards for the 2008–09 school year, a decrease in the dropout rate for students in grades 7-12 and gains in reading and math according to North Carolina’s ABC Education Model.” 

“We’ve made great strides over the past year to improve curriculum, expand educational opportunities and increase teaching effectiveness in our classrooms,” Middleton said. “Last year none of our schools made AYP. I think we’re starting to see pockets of success as a result of some of the plans my team implemented when I came to the system almost 2 years ago,” she said.

In a Power Point presentation, Middleton outlined the terms of measurement for school growth and progress. According to Middleton, it is important to remember the two models used by the state, the AYP and the ABC Growth Model measure different things and even though a school or district may be accomplished in one area, they may not be in another.

She said the six schools performing at federal standards on the AYP were Aurelian Springs, Brawley, Everetts, Hollister, Pittman and Scotland Neck Primary. For the district, there were 1895 students tested in grades three through eight. Of those students, 888 scored at or above grade level in math and 673 students scored at or above grade level in reading. Overall, 82 percent of students in grades three through eight scored at or above grade level in reading and/or math.

On the ABC Growth Model, which is a separate test, three schools met or exceeded growth standards set by the state: Aurelian Springs, growth; Pittman, high growth; and Scotland Neck Primary, growth. In this test, 1,895 students in grades three through eight were tested. Of that 784 students made growth in reading, 643 students made growth in math and overall, 75 percent of students tested made growth in reading and/or math.

Middleton said in the high schools about a third of the students are scoring proficient, “We recognize there is still much work that we need to do at the high schools.”

Public Relations Coordinator Keith Hoggard reminded everyone these are preliminary scores and final scores will come in October. The district will use these scores to strategize which programs are working in schools and which ones need to be dropped.

Middleton said there are a lot of reasons the district showed improvements this past year. She said she believes a lot of it has to do with programs implemented when she first came to the system. “After a comprehensive needs assessment was performed, the district modified students’ daily schedules to allow for 45 minutes of additional tutorial time, had district-wide assessments of each student’s progress every six weeks and conducted extensive professional development for teachers.” 

Middleton said the district also entered into partnerships with Halifax Community College, Elizabeth City State University and North Carolina State University’s School of Math and Science to provide additional training for classroom teachers. She added, “While we see these successes as the first fruits of our labor, we recognize as a district we must continue on this course to reach students and improve the quality of education they deserve.”

Middleton said the district plans to continue supplemental education for students, but all current strategies will be examined for efficiency, “We have to get the most bang for our buck.”

In closing, Middleton stated, “This is a pivotal time for Halifax County Schools ... Never before in our state’s history has a district come under such heavy fire politically, economically and socially ... It is my resolve the children of Halifax County not be reduced to a set of negative statistics or part of someone’s political profile, but are allowed the opportunity to achieve and excel.” 

A breakdown of Halifax County School Districts test scores are online at www.halifax.k12.nc.us.