The NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) presented state test results for the 2023-24 school year to the State Board of Education on Sept. 4. While NCDPI continues to classify Warren County Schools as a Low Performing District, there are some areas of improvement to celebrate.

How scores are calculated and categorized
As a reminder, 80 percent of the NCDPI school performance grade comes from the percentage of students performing at or above grade level. Only 20 percent of the grade reflects how much students’ test scores improved from the previous year, also known as their growth rate. Schools can show growth, while still not meeting proficiency targets.

Warren County Schools 2023-24 school performance results at a glance:

DISTRICT RESULTS

* For the third consecutive year, the district’s overall student performance score has increased to 29.5 percent in 2023-24.
* Our overall English II proficiency score improved to 54 percent in 2023-24 from 50 percent the year before.
* The district’s overall proficiency score in 5th-grade science jumped to 41.4 percent in 2023-24 from 25.8 percent in 2022-23.
* Our district’s overall math proficiency score improved from 22.7 to 25.8 percent.

The most significant jump was in high school Math III scores, increasing from 23.5 in 2022-23 to 40 percent in 2023-24.

Other math proficiency score improvements

SCHOOL RESULTS

Warren Early College High School (WECHS) earned an A grade and exceeded its expected growth in academic performance for the second straight year in the school’s history.
Warren County High School (WCHS) met its growth targets, improved its overall student performance score, and maintained a D grade.

Seventy-eight percent of WCHS students graduated within four years, and when given five years, the graduation rate jumps to 82 percent.

Vaughan Elementary (VES) maintained a D grade even though NCDPI reports the school did not meet its growth targets. However, VES 5th graders nearly doubled their science proficiency scores from 38.4 percent in 2022-23 to 73.7 percent in 2023-24. That significant improvement is not calculated in the overall student performance scores because the school’s 5th-grade class was smaller than 30 students.

AREAS OF FOCUS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT

* Only 29.5 percent of our students are performing at or above grade level.

* NCDPI identifies five of our six schools as low-performing (all but WECHS).

* Mariam Boyd Elementary (MBES), Northside Elementary (NES), and Warren County Middle (WCMS) schools have an F school performance grade.

* MBES, NES, VES, and WCMS did not meet student improvement (growth) expectations.

* Most reading-level proficiency scores across the district declined.

INITIATIVES IMPROVING OUR PROFICIENCY RATES

* Elementary schools rearranged class schedules in 2023-24 to teach core subjects in the morning when students are typically more alert and engaged. This strategy helped improve elementary science scores.

* We’re providing tutoring throughout the school year and enhanced summer learning opportunities to help students performing below grade level.

* We’ve hired Instructional Coaches and Master Teachers to show classroom teachers proven strategies to help students learn difficult concepts and subjects.

* We’re using data-driven instruction to identify students’ individual strengths and areas where we need to improve that student’s understanding.

* The district is working to foster partnerships with community organizations and volunteers to provide students with additional learning opportunities, experiences, and individualized support (or attention).

* We’re strengthening relationships between school staff and students’ families so we can all work together to meet our children’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.

“For Warren County Schools to truly reflect our students’ capabilities, we need parents, teachers, staff, and the community to work together to ignite children’s passion for learning so each one can meet their true potential,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis.

Warren County Schools acknowledges our need to significantly improve the levels of teaching and learning in our schools. We also believe the state’s grading and classification system does not accurately reflect our district’s academic performance. Two of our six schools are too small for students’ scores to be included in the state’s formula to calculate student proficiency and academic growth. VES and WECHS have several classes with less than 30 students, so their scores aren’t included in their proficiency or growth scores. Both scores would be higher if VES and WECHS student achievement results were included.

NCDPI notes that the information in the School Report Card, while important, cannot tell you the entire story about a school. Other important factors — the extra hours put in by teachers preparing for class and grading assignments, the school spirit felt by families, the involvement in sports, arts, or other extracurriculars – are crucial aspects of a school community, but are not reflected in these test results and classifications.

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Ed. Note: Warren County Schools students, teachers, and staff are to be commended for their efforts and their success in making noticeable strides in reaching their objectives. We know it is not easy. As a community, we are proud of you all, and we look forward to seeing how the new initiatives impact proficiencies.