| Calhoun Superintendent of Schools Roger Propst says a report indicating Calhoun Schools are at on near the bottom with ACT scores is misleading.
The ACT is a standardized test for high school achievement leading to college admissions in the United States.
Propst Says school scored much batter than many regional counties.
"Some of these rankings are a result of one or two tenths of a
point in being even higher, and compare favorably to many schools in our
region," Propst said.
"I think it more appropriate to measure ACT scores statewide by individual
schools than by county since some counties have multiple high schools and
can improve their county ranking by averaging," he said.
"Calhoun Middle/High School's
scores in a statewide comparison of the 115 high schools in the state
reflect a ranking of #56 Math, higher than many neighboring county schools."
"In Reading CM/HS ranks #78, English #88, and Science #95, for a composite
score of #78."
Propst said, "We have much room for improvement, but considering the 2011 Westest
results which ranked CM/HS at 115 of 115, I am extremely proud of the
progress shown on assessments such as the ACT."
"The Board of Education, county and school administration, faculty,
students and parents are all committed to academic improvement in our
schools, and important progress is being made."
"We have a significant road
to travel, but I am confident our students are up to the challenge," Propst concluded.
The report received and published by the the Herald, Propst says, appears to be conflicting with information he has received.
ORIGINAL STORY - Calhoun schools are struggling to bring the academic achievement of county students from the bottom in the Mountain State rankings.
While county schools were elevated slightly from the bottom with recent Westest scores, the system is at or near the bottom among the 55 counties in achievement on the ACT (American College Testing).
The ACT is a standardized test for high school achievement leading to college admissions in the United States.
The test is given to eighth and tenth grade students.
Calhoun ranked 55th in all categories tested by ACT for eighth grade students, English, math, reading and science.
With tenth grade ACT testing, students ranked 55th in reading, 53rd in science, 52nd in English and 46th in math.
Both 8th and 10th grades scored last in the state in reading.
Meanwhile, West Virginia schools are ranking near the bottom in achievement outcomes among the nation's 50 school systems.
REGIONAL COUNTIES: GRADE 8 (55 worst-1 best):
English: Calhoun 55; Braxton 54; Wirt 50; Clay 41; Roane 43; Jackson 20; Gilmer 8
Math: Calhoun 55; Braxton 53; Gilmer 51; Roane 38;Jackson 29; Wirt 20; Clay 4.
Reading: Calhoun 55; Wirt 49; Gilmer 47; Clay 45; Jackson 33; Roane 25; Braxton 1
Science: Calhoun 55; Gilmer 54; Braxton 49; Jackson 39; Wirt 38; Roane 11; Clay 8
REGIONAL COUNTIES: GRADE 10 (55 worst-1 best):
English: Calhoun 52; Wirt 50; Clay 46; Gilmer 36; Roane 27; Jackson 11; Braxton 3
Math: Clay 49; Calhoun 46; Roane 35; Braxton 26; Wirt 20; Jackson 11; Gilmer 10
Reading: Calhoun 55; Wirt 49; Gilmer 47, Clay 43; Jackson 20; Braxton 19, Roane 16
Science: Calhoun 53; Clay 51; Wirt 38; Roane 31; Jackson 25; Braxton 24; Gilmer 20
The ACT has seen an increase in the number of test takers recently.
In 2011 the ACT surpassed the SAT as 1,666,017 students took the ACT and 1,664,479 students took the SAT.
West Virginia is producing near the lowest numbers of college graduates, with colleges blaming high schools for poor preparedness.
See WV COLLEGE'S MUST IMPROVE GRADUATION RATE - State Near Bottom In National Statistics
ALL CALHOUN SCHOOLS FAIL TO MEET NCLB STANDARDS - Math Scores Show Improvement
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