STARKVILLE — The Oktibbeha County School District board of trustees will receive an update in student achievement goals at their meeting Monday.
The district has administered two rounds of practice tests similar to what students will see on state exams. All grades that are state-tested have taken the practice exams.
The district set a proficiency goal of 75 percent at the beginning of the school year. The first tests, which produced baseline results, were administered in August. The second round was administered in early January.
Covington has not shared the results of the second round. Additionally, he did not have the results of the first test available by press time.
“We’ve seen substantial growth,” Covington said. “They’re just practice tests — in all areas — but we used the state’s model and calculated a QDI (quality distribution index). We’re on the right track.”
Covington said teachers have added more rigor to their instruction to spark deeper thinking. Teachers also have done well to educate parents, especially of students below the high school level, on the importance of test scores.
The state could take over East Oktibbeha High by as early as September if it doesn’t push its QDI — a points system that uses test scores, graduation rates and progress stats — above 101. East High scored 96 for the 2010-11 school year, which is at the bottom of the state’s five-tier rating table and is considered failing.
Administrators at East High have set a QDI goal of 150.
In September, the state assigned a five-person team of retired educators to work with both schools and help implement teaching strategies and examine factors that affect the academic performance of each school.
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