KY School Report Card: Grayson Co. Schools outpaces state in most educational categories

Assessment and accountability data for the Kentucky School Report Card has been released, building on new features first seen last year. Additional data will be phased in this year due to system changes in the School Report Card which is currently scheduled to be available in its entirety in late 2024.

Results are based on a combination of academic and school quality indicators and measures including student assessment, English learner progress, and quality of school climate and safety. Graduation rate and postsecondary readiness are added in at the high school level.

The system reports “status” to represent a school’s performance for the current year, while “change” reflects a school’s current year performance in a specific area compared with the previous year. Combined, these provide a performance rating for each indicator.

Districts and schools are then ranked on a color system with red (very low); orange (low); yellow (medium); green (high); and blue (very high) for status. The rankings for change indicate red (declined significantly); orange (declined); yellow (maintained); green (increased); and blue (increased significantly).

Based on the status and change formula, the district, most elementary schools, and the high school were within just a few points of a green or high ranking, averaging yellow (medium). Grayson County Middle School and Lawler Elementary maintained from the previous year at green (high).

Beyond color rankings, analysis of each indicator’s data is crucial to gain valuable insights into specific areas of strength, opportunities for improvement, and a more comprehensive understanding of a school or district’s performance.

Achievement showed several bright spots, with the percentage of students attaining Proficient and Distinguished status exceeding state averages in most subjects – reading, math, science, social studies, and writing – while maintaining in a few areas. 

As a group, elementary schools bested state averages in all subjects and were even in social studies. Lawler and Wilkey Elementary saw significant increases in reading and math. 

GCMS rose in reading and math to top state averages across the board and by 22 points in combined writing. 

Grayson County High School made gains in reading and math with a 15-point gain in combined writing and besting state averages by six points in social studies. The 2024 graduation rate headed up by a full point to nearly 94 percent.

Postsecondary readiness continues on an upward trend at the high school, with a nearly six-point rise. This is reflected in the high percentage of graduates who demonstrate academic or career readiness through AP and/or dual credit coursework, industry certifications, work experience, and other criteria.

“We continue to say ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible for students to learn about careers in a hands-on way. These come through our work-based learning program, transition experiences at the middle school, CTE training, and certifications,” Superintendent Doug Robinson said.

“Our local business community is exceptionally supportive in working with our students,” he added. “Through their ideas, feedback, mentorship, on-the-job training; in countless ways, they are always all-in for our kids and our workforce as we work together to grow an even stronger community.”

School culture and safety indicators show that students feel safe and supported at school in most areas. These are taken from student surveys at all levels. Examples of survey questions include “I feel like I am part of my school” to “There is at least one adult from my school who listens to me when I have something to say,” or “When I want to give up, my teacher says I should keep trying.”

There was agreement at all levels that schools make sure all students get what they need to be successful, handle safety concerns quickly, and work hard to make sure students are safe. Most agreed that their school is an encouraging place.

Relationships are key to student feelings of safety and belonging,” Robinson noted. “To a person, everyone in our buildings, on our busses, and throughout the district has such a heart for our kids.”

“We always have opportunities for improvement and growth. We’ll continue to work together to provide a safe, engaging, and encouraging environment for all students and to prepare every student to successfully transition from high school to the real world.”

Parents will soon receive their child/children’s individual test results. Assessment datasets can be viewed at https://www.education.ky.gov/Open-House/Pages/default.aspx with full accountability data available on the Kentucky School Report Card site in late 2024.

GCS Status/Change Rankings 2023-24

By Grayson County Schools and Ken Howlett, News Director