Improvement Seen in Latest PACT Scores

By Diette Courrégé  & Mindy B. Hagen
The Post and Courier
Friday, September 7, 2007

More South Carolina students did better on standardized exams in science and social studies this year, while their scores on English/language arts and math tests were more mixed, according to Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests results released Thursday.  A greater percentage of third- through eighth-grade students across the state met state standards in 16 of 24 areas in 2007 compared with 2006. The state considers meeting standards as scoring basic, proficient or advanced. PACT scores are key components used in school report card ratings released in November.

"I'm pleased that there's progress," said state Education Superintendent Jim Rex. "I understand fully, though, and I think everyone in the state does, that this is not yet an acceptable level of progress. We're going to have to find ways to see greater gains in the years ahead."  One of Rex's main priorities is reforming the state's testing system, which could include replacing PACT and reducing the amount of end-of-year testing.  

A task force will recommend proposals to the General Assembly for consideration next year. The first step came Thursday during a public hearing before the House's K-12 education subcommittee. Sixteen speakers discussed their concerns with the state's current testing format, said Rep. Bob Walker, chairman of the Education and Public Works committee.  Some spoke in favor of getting rid of PACT entirely, while others called for revising the test and maintaining the state's high standards, Walker, R-Landrum, said. But no one supported keeping the current tests in place without any modifications, he said.

This year's scores showed the percentage of students meeting state standards rising in every grade level for science. Social studies and science lessons better matched test questions this year, state officials said.

Charleston County schools followed the state trend of improvement, and scores were better than the state average in math, social studies and English/language arts in third through sixth grades. The district fell in its percentage of students meeting state standards in English/language arts, the first such dip since the 2002-03 school year. The percentage of students meeting state standards improved in math by one percentage point.  Superintendent Nancy McGinley said she was pleased with the gains but not with the rate of progress. She plans to recommend major changes to accelerate the district's progress next week.  Janet Rose, the district's executive director of assessment and accountability, said the district's gains were where they needed to be — in middle school and in science and social studies.

One of the district's lowest-performing schools that showed strong improvement was unsatisfactory-rated Schroder Middle School in rural Hollywood. Greater percentages of students met state standards at every grade and in every subject area, an accomplishment not common among schools where roughly 90 percent of the students live in poverty. The improvement was dramatic; the percentage of students meeting state standards in sixth grade social studies rose 22 percentage points to 72 percent.  Schroder students' scores in science were strong, too, with 52 percent of sixth-graders meeting state standards compared with 36 percent last year. Sixth-grade science teacher Miriam Wright attributed the upswing to adding technology — an LCD projector — to her lessons. Although she taught the same information during the 2005-06 school year with an overhead projector, students were more interested in class last year, she said.
In addition to technology, Wright created more long-term lesson plans and used the district's standardized curriculum, which gives examples of activities and strategies to teach classes, she said.

In Berkeley County, the district's scores also mirrored the state's results, especially in science where all grade levels posted their highest scores ever. In social studies, the district's scores beat the state average in all six grades.  "We've seen stunning improvement," said Mike Turner, the district's assistant superintendent for learning services.  Scores at College Park Middle School reflected the district's strides, as the Ladson school saw a higher percentage of students scoring basic or above in every grade level and in every subject except for one. Principal Ingrid Dukes said teachers encouraged students to read more than 25 books a year, and the school began a "buddy" program that paired adults with small groups of students.  "We find that when you set an expectation, kids typically rise to it," Dukes said. "We are thrilled, but we know there are some things we can still do better. We don't feel we've reached the mountain top."  The district's English/language arts and math results were more mixed. Turner credited a new focus on literacy for improving the science and social studies scores, even if the English gains weren't as pronounced.

Scores in Dorchester District 2 continued to lead the Lowcountry this year, with the district's results in every subject and grade level surpassing both the stateaverage and neighboring districts' scores.  But Superintendent Joe Pye wasn't pleased to see a higher percentage of students falling into the below basic category at the elementary school level, particularly in math where the district's passing percentage dropped in grades three through six. Despite those declines, more than 80 percent of all third-, fourth- and fifth-graders passed the English/language arts and math tests.  "Overall, we are keeping our head above water, but I want to be swimming with one arm," Pye said. "I want to be doing backstrokes. But I see our scores flattening out and even dropping in math and I'm not satisfied."

Dorchester District 4 saw more students passing PACT in half of the categories but experienced drops in the other 12 areas. The district's elementary school scores remained close to the state average, but middle school scores trailed other local districts by sizable margins.  Superintendent Jerry Montjoy said middle school teacher turnover continues to plague the district.  "We have a long way to go with our middle schools, and that's because we need continuity in our teaching staff," Montjoy said. "It's the greatest area of need that we have."

Definitions of PACT terms Results on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test fall into four categories: Below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. The state Education Department said pupils pass if they score basic and above.  The federal government judges schools based only on students scoring proficient and advanced. Here is what those terms mean: Below basic: Did not meet standards. Academic plans for improvement must be made. Local board policy determines whether the child can go to the next grade. Basic: Passed, but minimally prepared for the next grade level. Proficient: Met expectations and well-prepared for the next grade. Advanced: Exceeded expectations. Very high score.

Post & Courier Public School PACT Results database

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com. Reach Mindy B. Hagen at 937-5433 or mhagen@p
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