| The WV Department of Education has declared Calhoun Middle-High School a Transition School, one of five categories regarding academic achievement for state-wide schools.
The WVDE says a Transition School has reached its goals in attendance, graduation rates, student academic growth, student success on WESTEST 2 and learning gaps between student groups.
Both Calhoun Middle-High School and Arnoldsburg School have been classified as Transitional Schools, "needing some improvement." Pleasant Hill Elementary has been classified as a Success School, "on target."
The West Virginia Department of Education, after getting a waiver from No Child Left Behind, is now focusing on improvement as opposed to pass or fail.
Calhoun Middle-High Academic Coach Tammy Yoak says, "The efforts of school staff working with students is making a difference."
"We've gone from being the lowest performing school in the state, to one of the top 15 most improved schools in the state," Yoak said.
Yoak said Calhoun Middle-High School's focus is centered on a determined effort to make a change. That change began with the events of less than desirable test scores and a disheartened staff and student body three years ago, she said.
"We began with the formation of a teacher leadership team that was comprised of administrators, counselors, and five teachers," Yoak said, focusing on four content areas and special education.
"This team's discussion and action led to the entire staff being involved and committed to the school's mission and goals."
The school's mission statement was changed to "Improving Lives through Learning," which led to three distinct goals: academic improvement, school climate and culture and community involvement and support.
Yoak said being designated as a Transition School shows the hard work going into academic improvement. "That's one designation short of being designated a Success School, a goal we will make," she said.
The five categories for school evaluation: (1) Success School (on target); (2) Transitional School (needs some improvement); (3) Focus School (largest achievement gaps); (4) Support School (needs support); (5) Priority School (historically low performing).
The report on Calhoun Middle-High School from the WV Department of Education:
PROFICIENCY (How many kids at grade level expectations today)
CM-HS earned 19.57% of the possible points.
The State average was 45.1284% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 73.1759%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 20.8333%.
(According to the WVDE chart, CM-HS is below the state's lowest performing school)
ACHIEVEMENT GAPS CLOSED
CM-HS earned 49.00% of the possible points.
The State average was 57.0366% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 98.7959%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 28.1682%.<
OBSERVED GROWTH
CM-HS earned 39.60% of the possible points.
The State average was 49.9574% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 100%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 6.25%.
ADEQUATE GROWTH
CM-HS earned 17.50% of the possible points.
The State average was 35.0217% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 95%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 0%.
GRADUATION RATE
CM-HS earned 83.27% of the possible points.
The State average was 80.8129% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 100%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 46.45%.
In over the overall scoring index, CM-HS earned 45.36% of the possible points, with the state average at 55.4007% for high schools.
The highest scoring high school earned 88.3033%.
The lowest scoring high school earned 32.033%.
To read the report on Arnoldsburg and Pleasant Hill Elementary Schools see wv.us/esea/performance/scores
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