Schools' test results rise slightly

The Criterion-Referenced Competency Test scores are in, and though the county scores fluctuated little from last year, there was good news for one Columbia County school listed as not making adequate progress on a Title I report last year.

Euchee Creek Elementary School's scores were up from 332 in reading in 2001 to 355 this year; 324 in language arts in 2001 to 333; and 313 in math in 2001 to 324.

"Euchee Creek did meet that 5 percent gain, and that's a compliment to them and what they are doing over there," said Columbia County School Superintendent Tommy Price.

It is not known what criteria will be used to compile the list of failing schools this year, but Euchee Creek Principal Wanda Golosky is thrilled with the results and believes she won't be one of them.

"We've made significant improvement," said Golosky. "We did so well this year, now the bar is going to be set even higher for us."

There were mixed results at North Harlem Elementary and Grovetown Elementary, the other two schools flagged as needing improvement on the Title I report.

North Harlem's scores declined in language arts and math, but improved in reading from 335 in 2001 to 348 this year.

Scores declined across the board at Grovetown Elementary, from 337 in reading in 2001 to 325 this year; 327 in language arts in 2001 to 318; and from 321 in math in 2001 to 310.

The test results received by the Columbia County School System this week were for the traditionally tested grades four, six and eight. Tests were piloted last spring in all grades first through eighth. Third- and eighth-graders also were tested in science and social studies. Those test results have not yet been received.

Columbia County scores were well above the state averages in all subject areas. The most dramatic changes this year were in eighth-grade reading, where scores declined eight points; in eighth-grade math where they improved seven points and in fourth-grade reading where the overall average improved six points.

The CRCT seeks to test a student's knowledge of Georgia's Quality Core Curriculum. Price said school officials will study the scores to determine any areas of instruction that might need to be beefed up.

Under Gov. Roy Barnes' accountability program, starting in 2004 schools will be graded on CRCT results, with those grades largely determining which teachers get bonuses and which schools get makeovers.

Also in 2004, pupils in third, fifth and eighth grades will have to pass the CRCT before being promoted to the next grade.