CPSD test scores among highest in state
Clinton Public School District
Dr. Tim Martin, Superintendent
(601) 924-7533
Media contact: Sandi Beason, APR
CLINTON — Fourth-grade math teacher Kerri Burnside passed out papers to her students as part of Tuesday’s place value review.
She instructed students to pair up and take out their pencils.
“Today we’re going to play a game to help us review place value,” she said. “You will close your eyes, pretend your finger is a spinner, put your finger on the paper and wherever your finger lands, write that number down on your paper. Before you write it down, decide the place value you want the number to have.
“Think carefully about the place value because you will compare numbers with your partner, and the partner with the largest value will win.”
The place value game is one of many ways, every day, that Clinton teachers keep students engaged and on track with their academic goals.
The results of their work were evident this week; according to state test scores released by the Mississippi Department of Education, 93 percent of Clinton fourth-graders passed the English Language Arts state test (scoring a 3, 4 or 5), and a whopping 98.6 percent of Clinton fourth-graders passed the math state test.
“This sets the bar very, very high for next year when you’re talking about growth,” said Dr. Tim Martin, superintendent of schools. “Our teachers are hitting it out of the park. Fewer than 2% of our fourth graders scored below 3 on this test. Next year we’re expected to perform at a higher level, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for us to meet the growth component of the accountability formula.”
MAAP tests have five levels. Students scoring levels 4 or 5 are considered proficient or advanced in the subject.
Data released in August is only test scores; accountability letter grades will be calculated and released later this fall by MDE. Mississippi Academic Assessment Program, or MAAP, measures students’ progress toward academic goals that equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and the workforce.
Mississippi teachers helped develop the MAAP tests, which align with the learning goals for Mississippi classrooms. MAAP measures student performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and math in grades 3-8 and in high school English II and Algebra I.
District-wide, student scores improved over last year in most areas. Martin said the scores speak to the high quality of Clinton’s teachers, and also give schools guidance on areas for improvement.
“Statewide assessments ensure that children in every school are achieving the learning goals for each grade level,” said Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi Superintendent of Education. “When students score proficient or advanced, parents can be assured their child’s school is providing a quality education that has prepared students to be successful in the next grade level.”