When it comes to math, West Lowndes and Caledonia elementary schools have the right formula.
The two Lowndes County schools are being recognized by Mississippi State University”s Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools with Value Added Awards, for their performance on state tests in the area of math. West Lowndes Elementary also is being recognized for its language arts test scores and for improving its quality distribution index, a measure of student achievement.
West Lowndes Elementary improved at every tested grade level in math and language arts tests. In math, the most notable improvement was in the fourth grade. In 2009, 28.6 percent of fourth-graders performed at proficient with no students performing in the advanced category compared to 55 percent proficient or advanced in 2010.
Proficient means the student has solid academic performance and is ready to go on to the next grade. Advanced means the student consistently performs beyond what is required to be successful in the next grade.
In language arts, the most significant gain also was in the fourth grade. In 2009, 34.3 percent performed at proficient or advanced compared to 65 percent in 2010.
Caledonia Elementary improved at every tested grade level in math, most notably in the third grade. In 2009, 71.9 percent of third-graders performed at proficient or advanced. In 2010, 80.7 percent of third-graders performed at proficient or advanced.
PREPS uses information from the Mississippi Department of Education”s Mississippi Assessment and Accountability Reporting System to determine Value Added Award winners.
“We (also) use the school”s socioeconomic indicators. If you have earned or are well above those standards, then you are eligible for an award,” explained Kina Kemp, office assistant at PREPS.
School principals attribute the improved test scores to focused instruction and intervention.
“One thing that we do is three days out of the week we do an intensive intervention for 30 minutes — every student in the school — and we work on assessments,” said Robert Sanders, principal of West Lowndes Elementary.
The school also has transitioned away from mainly full-class lectures to working in small groups and centers.
“It allows the students to get more individual attention and helps the teachers to focus more on what the students need,” Sanders said. “They also learn more from each other, just by being able top collaborate with each other.”
West Lowndes teachers also have learned different teaching strategies from consultants for Aha! and JBHM Education Group.
The school also utilizes the Scholastic Read 180 reading intervention software and SuccessMaker reading, language arts and math software.
“We use Accelerated Math, and I think that makes a difference,” said Roger Hill, principal of Caledonia Elementary. “We use it in grades one and up.”
Accelerated Math software creates math assignments specific to each student”s level and sets goals for each student to meet.
“It”s a good teaching tool, and it also does a good job of evaluating and diagnosing the problems,” Hill said. “You can see where your weaknesses are, and you go back and review and test and retest.”
Caledonia also uses Internet-based programs such as Study Island, which student can use from home.
“We have a good many parents that utilize them,” Hill said.
Math Facts in a Flash also offers students a chance to review and learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.
“There”s no reason that a child does not know all of those facts, as much opportunity as they have to learn them and practice them,” Hill said. “The school district has given us a lot of resources. We just try to take advantage of everything that”s given to us … and get the most benefit out of them.”
Caledonia Elementary also was named a Star School by the Mississippi Department of Education, for its performance on the Mississippi Curriculum Test II in 2010. It is the only Star School within about a 60-mile radius.
The Value Added Awards will be given out at the PREPS and Mississippi Association of Partners in Education convention in Jackson on March 22.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
