Jasper’s CCRPI Test Scores Drop
During the December meeting of the Jasper County Board of Education Dr. Kristie Brooks, Director of Student Services spoke to the board about the FY16 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) test scores for the system.
These numbers are aimed at showing how students are growing compared to the year before, according to Dr. Brooks.
She started her presentation stating that the system “anticipated drops,” in certain areas and that by using MAP data, the teachers and faculty had real time data that compared nationally to begin helping students in those underperforming areas immediately.
Dr. Brooks began with the highlights from each school, stating that several schools achieved “exceeding” the bar points for actual implementation practices that Jasper County schools are doing that go “above and beyond to offer supplemental supports that greatly impact students.”
Those practices that were noted from the CCRPI as being “above the bar” included, Jasper County Primary School for implementation of research based practices that aided in increased attendance. One hundred percent of the fifth grade students at Washington Park Elementary School (WPES) had completed career portfolios.
At Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) 100 percent of the students were passing a minimum of three career exploration/fine arts courses. And at Jasper County High School (JCHS) teachers were recognized for effectively utilizing the state data system.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton stated that being a Charter System the Charter focuses on attendance, literacy and math.
Of all of the schools in the system, JCMS had the lowest gap from last year to this year with just one percent difference in 2015’s CCRPI being 63.8 and 2016’s CCRPI being 62.8. The state average was 75.7 for 2016. WPES had the biggest drop with an average 76.1 in 2015 and a 61.5 in 2016. The state average for elementary schools was 74.9. JCHS was in between with the CCRPI being 74.9 and 69.9 in 2015 and 2016, respectively, with the high school state average at 75.7.
Dr. Brooks explained that the same formula was used both years to calculate average with a variation in achievement.
Dr. Brooks stated that mathematics averages went down in the district compared to 2015. She said that math at WPES was the area of change with the averages going from 26.9 in 2015 to 24.6 in 2016. She said that the system as a whole went down in growth and improvement.
The conversations about the decrease in score compared to the state averages and “our own,” averages last year rolled into a new conversation regarding Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) data that Jasper County Charter System has put into place that will begin to give a national comparison in real time. Dr. Brooks and Dr. Newton believe that the MAP “aligns more effectively to the overall mission of the school system.”
Dr. Brooks began to explain the MAP as recognizing growth vs. non-growth sooner so that teachers can realign what they are doing instructionally and not have to wait until year end. She said that at Jasper County Primary School, Principal Pam Edge recognized what issues had to do with instruction and was able to switch the teachers around as well as give those students needing extra help in certain areas time for that help during the day.
“We cannot continue to do the same things the same way and expect different results,” said Dr. Brooks. There are several ways that MAP data aids in helping the individual by allowing additional help or helps the group of students by also reflecting the teacher’s results. The MAP allows for changes early, be it with the student or the staff.
According to Dr. Brooks, “the MAP gives immediate information on student’s skill strengths and weaknesses. This allows us to target instruction appropriately. This data also allows for change to begin in January rather than having to wait until the end of the year when Georgia Milestones are taken and the scores returned.”
Dr. Brooks told board members that the progress from the Fall MAP data to the Winter MAP data was “phenomenal.” She said that nearly 100 students moved out of the projected Beginning Learner level and nearly 100 additional students scored in the areas that would project them in the highest rankings of Proficient/Distinguished Learner level of the Milestones. And that data reaches beyond Georgia and is comparable nationally, she said..