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Blood drive
The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will host a blood drive Saturday, Sept. 20, at Wal-Mart in Belmont, 701 Hawley Ave from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Area students boost state scores
By TARA MANJARRES
- Thu, Mar 27, 2008
Fifth and eighth-grade science students in Gaston County drag behind the state average according to recently released pilot test scores but students in Belmont, and Mount Holly mostly fared well.
Students took a practice end-of-grade science test last May for the first time but the state has only recently released the preliminary scores. The new science test is part of the federal accountability program No Child Left Behind which this year requires science testing as part of end-of-grade accountability.
Statewide, the number of students performing average or better in either grade equaled 63 percent.
In Gaston, 56 percent of fifth-grade students earned proficiency; 58 percent of eighth-graders reached average or better. An average or proficient score is 2.5 or higher.
Among local elementary schools, Catawba Heights bested the state average by a whopping 20 points with 84 percent of its students at proficiency.
Principal Pam Willis said she must give most of the recognition to the teachers.
“Well first let me give credit to our hardworking and dedicated fifth-grade teachers who are really concerned about our children,” began Willis.
CHES was also the highest scorer in the county. Willis said she doesn’t think they employed any different methods of teaching science. They used the standard county science kits and also used the end-of-grade coach series. She said it’s her unique group of teachers that help the school earn their marks.
“Our fifth-grade teachers are very demanding of high academics from our students and they have high expectations as well,” she said.
Belmont Central also earned above the state level at 67 percent. Ida Rankin Elementary is above the state score but just by one percentage point achieving 64 percent.
Landing below the county and state average was North Belmont Elementary with right over half of its students at proficiency at 52 percent. NBE is also a title one school, which means it’s identified as a high poverty school.
Though the scores were underneath the county and state levels, Principal Chris Germain was optimistic.
“We did really well overall,” he said. “It was the first time we had taken the test or even seen it and 50 percent of our students scored passing so I’m pleased at this point.”
Germain said much more preparation has gone into this year’s science cirruculm. The school held a science fair, not just for fifth-grade, but for all grade levels to emphasize the subject.
He said the renewed attention will help improve scores and student education.
“I think more serious intervention will make a difference in scores. I think that’s really what the state is after is a more focused approach to science.”
Among all of Gaston’s middle schools, Belmont Middle School had the highest score above state average at 77 percent proficient.
At Mount Holly Middle School, 62 percent of science students scored average or better. Principal Judy Moore said she wasn’t thrilled with the score but she also wasn’t discouraged.
“The biggest challenge is that it was a brand new test,” she said. “At that point, you’re sort of just guessing what the state is looking for.”
Moore said they’re using the test and scores as a baseline for where they would like to be this year.
“It gives us a strong idea where we need and want to go.”
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