Tag: Assessment

How well are WCPSS students prepared for problem-solving, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking? Are WCPSS' 15-year-olds able to apply what they have learned to unfamiliar settings? PISA and CWRA+ assessments give us a glimpse of how WCPSS students are doing compared to national and international benchmarks. PISA: In 2018, a sample of WCPSS students in 5 high schools out-performed both the U.S. national and international students in each core subject (science, math, and reading). CWRA+: In Spring 2018, 1,570 WCPSS high school juniors participated in the CWRA+ assessments. CWRA+ measures students' skills in problem-solving, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking. Overall, 51% of WCPSS students performed at either "proficient, accomplished, or advanced" levels.

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How well are Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) students prepared for problem-solving, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking? (a) WCPSS schools out-performed both the U.S., national, and international averages in each core subject of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA): mathematics, reading, and science. (b) Overall, 60% of WCPSS high school students in 2016 performed at a proficient level or above in problem-solving, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking in the College and Work Readiness Assessment (CWRA+). WCPSS juniors’ overall performance in CWRA+ was near the middle point between the averages of freshmen and seniors in the national CWRA+ sample. However, the WCPSS scores on the performance task and selected-response items diverged.

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AP outcomes for WCPSS students have continued an upward trend for over 18 years, out-performing the state and the nation in all measures. In 2013-14 there were 13,757 exams taken by 6,955 WCPSS test-takers with almost 76% of the exams resulting in scores at or above 3, outperforming Guilford (53.0%), Mecklenburg (49.8%), NC (57.7%), and the U.S. (53.7%). The WCPSS overall exam average was 3.37, down by 0.3 points from 2012-13 but still higher than the state (2.84) and the nation (2.87). As in past years, top popular subjects remained the same, with Environmental Science, Psychology, English Language & Composition, US History, and Statistics having over 1,000 test-takers each. In addition, Human Geography almost tripled test-takers from 412 in 2012-13 to 1,149 in 2013-14, replacing Statistics in the top five. Minority students continue to be underrepresented in AP course enrollments. Schools can use these data to benchmark themselves against their peers and past performance. Schools need to intensify supports and systems to attract and encourage additional qualified students to enroll in rigorous AP coursework.

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In 2013-14, students in WCPSS continued to score 60-70 points higher on the SAT compared to students in NC and across the nation. All major WCPSS ethnic groups also continued to score significantly higher than their peers. Fifty-four percent of WCPSS students met the College Board's College and Career Readiness Benchmark. North Carolina had 41% of its students meeting the benchmark, while the nation had 43%. Continued improvements on college entrance exams are likely to be driven by student exposure to rigorous curriculum and high-level coursework. Schools are encouraged to find ways to prepare all students to engage in rigorous experiences in high school.

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In 2012-13, students in WCPSS continued to score 50-60 points higher on the SAT compared to students in NC and across the nation. Most major WCPSS ethnic groups also continued to score significantly higher than their peers. Trends in performance on college entrance exams such as the SAT represent important metrics for monitoring how well the system is preparing all students for post- secondary success.

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Students in Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) continue to score well on AP exams with an increased percentage of students enrolling in the courses. As in past years, in 2013 the district had higher average AP exam scores compared to the state and the nation. WCPSS had 76.6% of scores 3 or higher in 2013 (qualified and above). Again in both 2012 and 2013, a high number of students took exams in Environmental Science, English Language & Composition, Psychology, and Statistics. Schools can use these data to benchmark themselves against their own past performance as well as their peers across the district. Encouraging more students to participate in AP classes and take the exams, in addition to other high-level coursework, should help WCPSS graduates be college and career-ready.

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WCPSS students continue to fare well on the SAT test compared to students in the state and nation. While there was a slight decline in the overall average score in 2012 compared to the previous year, the scores continue a trend of measurable improvement over time. In addition, most major ethnic groups continue to have average scores significantly higher than comparable groups in the state and nation. In 19 of the last 21 years, the WCPSS participation rate has remained above 70%, suggesting that a large majority of WCPSS seniors are intending to continue their education by going to college. In the same 21-year time frame, participation rates for the state have mostly been in the 60% range, while national rates have been in the high 40s.

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The second year (2011-12) of the Formative Assessment with Technology Project in three WCPSS schools was studied to determine the fidelity of implementation of the formative assessment practices and the project's impact on student achievement. Classroom observations and surveys of teachers and students showed that implementation was moderate, and it varied widely across teachers. Certain targeted practices were reported or observed much more often than others. High turnover in the teachers participating in the project likely contributed to the uneven implementation. High school staff had the highest level of implementation of training concepts as well as the highest use of the electronic response tools for assessment. Full implementation and impact on state achievement test scores was expected to take two years to be evident. Since only nine teachers participated and had data for two years, impact could not be reliably assessed. This pilot training model would be too expensive to roll out district-wide in WCPSS. More cost effective models may be used to encourage appropriate use of formative assessment.

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Wilburn was in its fourth year of implementing Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) in 2011-12, which is designed to attract, retain, and motivate quality teachers and increase student achievement. It was in the second year of TIF funding to provide performance pay for improved student performance. Analysis of EOG reading and math test scores for 2011-12 showed increases in student performance (where different cohorts of students are compared over time) and growth (when a student is compared to him- or herself over time). All staff earned some performance pay based on the TAP model formulas (unlike the previous year). Recommendations are to provide more ways for teachers to share their perceptions of TAP, to start observations earlier in the year, and to improve training by focusing on the application of the rubric and differentiating training (for teachers new to TAP and those with experience).

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Exit rates from Limited English Proficiency (LEP) for students who enter the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) as LEP students vary by when students enter WCPSS (based on students entering in kindergarten, grade 6 or 7, or grade 9). Based on our 2008-09 cohorts, students entering in grades 6 or 7 were most likely to exit LEP status after four years (54%), followed by those entering in kindergarten (39%), and finally those entering in grade 9 (27%). Exit rates vary based on performance on the LEP placement test. Students scoring higher on the test initially have a much better chance of exiting LEP within four years, indicating better English proficiency upon entry to WCPSS leads to a better chance of exiting LEP faster. Students with low initial placement test scores take longer to exit the program if they enter WCPSS at the higher grade levels. Further research will examine the effects of a variety of support services on the exit rates of LEP students in the cohort.

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Seven District Improvement initiatives were implemented in 2011-12 in WCPSS. All were well designed and coordinated, with common goal setting processes and use of common monitoring tools. All initiatives either met or partially met 2011-12 goals. Some were more successful in showing student outcomes, with the most positive initiatives being elementary mathematics and adolescent literacy. These results should be used to influence future decisions about continuation or strengthening of these efforts. New components that were well received and implemented by those trained (but which did not have achievement results as yet) should also be considered for future funding.

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Project Enlightenment, part of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), has been providing services to children ages birth through 5 years, their parents, and teachers in childcare and preschool settings since 1969. With a local and grant funded budget of just over 2 million dollars, staff members served about 2,400 children in 2011-12. The number of children impacted increases considerably when siblings and students of the teachers served are included. The overall goal of Project Enlightenment is to prepare children to be successful in kindergarten. The prevention and intervention services available through Project Enlightenment are more comprehensive than those identified within other large school systems. All the districts that were contacted provide developmental screenings. Beyond this, Project Enlightenment provides teacher parent consultations and workshops, parent training via home visits, kindergarten readiness activities, and parent counseling. It also has an onsite parent teacher resource center and two preschool classrooms, one of which is a WCPSS Title I Pre-K classroom. Survey results show that parents and teachers are highly satisfied with the services provided. Analyses on small samples of children served suggest some short-term improvements in children's areas of need. The findings, which cannot be generalized due to the limited samples, also show some positive impact on their kindergarten success. Further evaluation is needed on the long-term success of the service components. Recommendations to staff include strengthening goal setting, adjusting data management systems, modifying service delivery as appropriate, and exploring new public outreach and screening opportunities.

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The Relationship between Mid-Year Benchmark and End-of-Grade Assessments: 2010-11

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In 2010-11, Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) was in district-wide improvement as a result of failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in mathematics at the district level for the second consecutive year. This report examines overall student outcomes in 2010-11 as well as overall teacher outcomes and longitudinal results for schools targeted for three consecutive years of SIOP® training and support compared to matched schools who were not involved. SIOP® schools had a greater increase in students reaching growth targets than in the district overall. Increases in reading and mathematics proficiency at SIOP® elementary schools and reading at SIOP® middle schools were similar or slightly higher than for WCPSS. Overall mathematics results were not positive for SIOP® middle schools; however, matched school analysis by subject and school level found targeted student subgroups (i.e., Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American, Limited English Proficient, and economically disadvantaged) did benefit from attending SIOP® targeted schools. 2010-11 represented the first year of implementation of the Secondary Literacy and Secondary Mathematics Initiatives. The demographic similarity of schools implementing Secondary Mathematics with WCPSS coupled with the weak results indicates, as with Secondary Literacy, the results of this initiative could be strengthened by more selective process of targeting schools to receive training.

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Instructional strategies aimed at improving achievement of low performing student subgroups in need of support were selected by the District Improvement Advisory Committee, so that WCPSS could exit District Improvement status. Impact of each initiative, which often included teacher training and coaching is examined in this implementation report. Recommendations are made including setting strategic goals and systematically monitoring implementation; targeting schools or teachers with high numbers of AYP groups of students in need of support; being intentional in coaching efforts and structuring coaching models based on the SIOP® experience; building ownership and commitment at the school level; and coordinating new and existing efforts to optimize effectiveness.

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Student Achievement in WCPSS, 2010-2011

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The Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) is a model for training, teacher advancement, and instructional strategies. Based on interviews and observations, the four TAP principles were implemented with fidelity during the 2010-11 school year, with one exception--teacher evaluations. Feedback was slow, and teachers had concerns about the reliability of the ratings. The impact on teachers was negative. Compared to 2009-10, reading and math proficiency improved in grades 3 and 5 in 2010-11 but not grade 4. However, compared to proficiency before TAP began, only Grade 5 had improved reading proficiency and none of the grades (3, 4, and 5) had higher proficiency in math. Grade 4 had positive trends for Academic Change (growth) in both reading and math.

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The longitudinal study of the 2005-06 preschool in WCPSS found short-term gains during the preschool year, but limited impact by kindergarten and no average impact by the end of 3rd grade on achievement, retention rates, special education placements, or attendance. Small sample sizes limit conclusions that can be drawn; a larger study with a stronger research design is recommended for next year. The larger 2010-11 preschool program provided strong evidence of short-term gains on achievement after the preschool experience. Teachers and parents were generally satisfied with the program. Teachers suggested higher student attendance and greater parent involvement would be helpful. Teachers used Creative Curriculum materials with varying frequency; they also viewed some components of the curriculum as more effective than others.

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Comprehensive Assessment Systems: Purposes and Implementation

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This report, the third of three reports examining Supplemental Education Services (SES) within the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), focused on the long-term goal of improved student achievement by the end of the school year. In 2009-10, 508 students participated in SES at the five schools offering SES: Brentwood, Fox Road, Poe, Wendell, and York. The vast majority of students (83%) participating in SES received tutoring services in both reading and mathematics. Overall, this study did not support the value of SES in promoting higher achievement (beyond what matched students achieved).

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This report, the second of three reports examining Supplemental Education Services (SES) within WCPSS, focused on the implementation of SES, and the degree to which short-term and intermediate goals were met. In 2009-10, the SES program was largely implemented with fidelity, with some areas needing refinement related to communication and monitoring. Monitoring reports noted appropriate instruction based on learning plans was occurring. SES has 13 implementation requirements for the Local Educational Agency (7), providers (2), and parents (4). Nine were fully met, with four partially met. The two short-term goals--student enrollment in SES and providers pre-assess all participants--were met. Three of the six intermediate goals were met (progress reports given to parents, minimum of 30 hours offered to each student, monitoring showed implementation occurring) and two additional goals were partially met (attendance at SES and post-assessments given to completers).

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End-of-Course (EOC) tests are given statewide in selected courses typically taken in high school. Results for 2009-10 (and prior years, where available) are reported in terms of both average scale scores and the percentage of students scoring proficient. For the first time in 2009-10, all students who scored at Level II on EOCs were retested. Retests added 3.7 to 5.8 percentage points to the overall proficiency rates on each test. Changes in performance between 2008-09 and 2009-10 varied by group and by course, although most ethnic groups saw increases in both proficiency and average scale scores across the board. Despite gains of the last three to five years, Hispanic/Latino students, students from lower-income backgrounds, and students with limited English proficiency (LEP) scored below their corresponding NC state rates. The LEP subgroup is barely above 50% proficient. It is imperative that progress for these groups continue to accelerate.

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This report describes SES within Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in terms of the schools, providers, and student participants in 2008-09 and 2009-10. It is the first in a series of three reports related to SES. NCLB requires schools receiving Title I funding in their second year of school improvement to offer eligible students Supplemental Educational Services (SES) in addition to existing Title I services. The SES programs for WCPSS in 2008-09 and 2009-10 were in compliance with federal guidelines to make available an SES program, enroll only FRL students, and to use state-approved vendors to deliver the program. SES is designed to improve the achievement of FRL students who score below, at, or above grade level. Therefore, service to some students may help schools reach AYP standards while service to others may help individual students and schools reach ABCs and other standards of academic success.

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Academy of READING (AoR) is designed to improve students' foundational reading skills; it is used in almost all Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) secondary schools. Central staff recommended students with prior End of Grade/Course (EOG/EOC) scale scores placing them high in Level II or low in Level III have first priority for service; many students served scored below this range (second priority). Program completion rates increased from 2008-09 (26%) to 2009-10 (41%), but were still considerably lower than desired (100%). Growth for 2009-10 AoR participants on End of Grade reading/English tests was strong (with the percentage of students reaching their growth targets increasing from 37.5% before service to 60.1% afterwards). This improvement is educationally important. Program completion gave students only a slight advantage in terms of EOG growth. The program appeared to be helpful, with patterns generally favoring middle school over high school students.

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This report examined the implementation of Foundations of Algebra, a course designed to provide high school students with low mathematics performance an extra opportunity to review and study foundational mathematics concepts prior to enrolling in Introductory Mathematics and subsequently Algebra I. In the fall of 2009, 877 high school students participated in Foundations of Algebra while another 774 students were enrolled directly into Introductory Mathematics in the spring of 2010. 1,600 students enrolled in Introductory Mathematics in 2008-09 were used as a comparison group. Eighty-two percent of Foundations of Algebra students were Level I or II; however, less than two-thirds of students (63%) scored Level I or low Level II--the program's criteria. Twenty-seven percent of students enrolled directly into Introductory Mathematics met the recommended criteria of high Level II scores. A higher percentage of students who participated in Foundations of Algebra enrolled in Algebra I and Algebra I Part I than did comparison students.

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The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction revised the alternate assessment system for students with disabilities (SWD) and/or limited English proficiency (LEP) in 2009-10. On the three alternate assessments that were given in 2009-10, results for WCPSS students were mixed. On the NCEXTEND1 assessments, which are taken by students with significant cognitive disabilities, proficiency rates for 479 Grade 3-8 students ranged from 46-70% in reading and from 48-79% in math, both up from last year but still generally lower than statewide rates. The NCEXTEND2 EOG assessments, administered to students with moderate intellectual or learning disabilities, were taken by the largest number of WCPSS students (2,106). Results on these modified EOG exams were slightly higher than those of the two previous years but proficiency rates across grade levels remained low in both reading (25-42%) and mathematics (43-54%). At the high school level, 412 students took NCEXTEND2 OCS assessments, which are based on the Occupational Course of Study and serve as alternates for required assessments in reading, mathematics, and science. The percentage of students achieving proficiency on the exams ranged from 68% in English, to 70% in mathematics, and 61% in Science, all up significantly from last year and closer to statewide rates.

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In 2009-10 Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) exited District Improvement in reading and remained in level one for mathematics. All District Improvement efforts gained momentum. The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP®) continued as the primary focus to meet the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) students in elementary and middle schools. The high school component was modified and addressed both literacy and mathematics. The number of trained SIOP® teachers considerably increased (from 588 in 2008-09 to 956 in 2009-10), follow-up coaching to support application of training reached more teachers, training implementation and buy-in strengthened. All SIOP® training, coaching, and implementation objectives for in 2009-10 were met or partially met. The number and use of SIOP® modified focus lessons increased substantially, but awareness could still be improved.

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Student Achievement in WCPSS, 2009-2010

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In 2008-09, results from End-of-Grade (EOG) reading and mathematics tests in WCPSS continued to demonstrate an upward trend across grade levels and student subgroups. Disaggregation of results by ethnicity, income level, disability status, and English proficiency status showed that achievement gaps between historically underperforming subgroups and their peers are still significant but are closing. Results of the new EOG science test in grades 5 and 8 showed that proficiency rates in science are below those for reading and mathematics. The effect of retesting for students who fail to score proficient on the first administration of EOG tests indicated that retesting improved proficiency rates by 4-9 percentage points, and that some groups of students benefited more than others from retesting.

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In 2006-07, seven Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) middle schools piloted Algebraic Thinking as an alternate approach to teaching middle school mathematics. Algebraic Thinking was developed to help students in grade 6 reach higher mathematics courses by combining the regular and advanced middle school mathematics courses into one heterogeneously grouped class and differentiating instruction. Of the 1,493 grade 6 students enrolled in one of the five pilot schools, 1,087 were still enrolled in Algebraic Thinking in 2008-09 and were therefore included in the study. A comparison cohort of 1,078 grade 6 students enrolled from 2006-07 to 2008-09 was selected from five matched schools. While both cohorts of students improved academically, overall findings suggest that participation in Algebraic Thinking did not have a greater positive impact on students' mathematics achievement as measured by EOG proficiency or growth. However, a significantly higher percentage of Algebra I students at the Algebraic Thinking schools met their Algebra I growth target.

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End-of-Course (EOC) tests are given statewide in 10 courses typically taken in high school. Results for 2008-09 (and prior years, where available) are reported in terms of both average scale scores and the percentage of students scoring proficient. After the recent introduction of new EOC tests with higher standards, scores in WCPSS have begun to move back upward after an initial decline. Significant gaps in achievement are still evident, and proficiency rates have not fully recovered to the levels seen prior to these new tests. However, historically-underperforming subgroups have made significant gains, and have begun to close those gaps. Further acceleration of those gains will be important for ensuring that all students are prepared for their post-secondary futures.

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Describes the Kindergarten Initial Assessment which all students are given as they enter kindergarten to assess their beginning skills. Also describes the kinds of skills that are helpful for students to have in kindergarten.

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North Carolina Student Accountability Standards require targeted intervention be provided to students who fail to meet statewide accountability standards. Intervention Months of employment were allotted to middle schools to help them provide intervention to students who are struggling academically. In 2008-09, Intervention Months 6-8 allotted Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) 32 middle schools 762 months of employment to be used along with other resources to provide targeted supplementary assistance to students requiring academic intervention beyond that provided in the regular classroom. In 2008-09, 3,155 students participated in an intervention elective. Findings suggest that participation in an intervention elective did not have a positive impact on reading achievement as measured by EOG proficiency or growth. The percentage of intervention elective participants at or above grade level increased more for mathematics than reading. A statistically significant higher percentage of students who participated in a mathematics intervention only made growth than did academically similar students not enrolled in the intervention elective.

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Analysis of 2008-09 WCPSS SAT Scores

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End-of-Course (EOC) tests are given statewide in ten courses typically taken in high school. Results for 2007-08 (and prior years, where available) are reported in terms of both average scale scores and the percentage of students who scored proficient. After the recent introduction of new EOC tests, scores for students in WCPSS have begun to tick back upward after a decline attributable to higher standards on those new tests. However, significant gaps in achievement are still evident, and proficiency rates have not fully recovered to the levels seen prior to these new tests. Higher standards, coupled with new EOC-based graduation requirements and a changing student population continue to pose significant challenges to ensuring success for all students.

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In 2007-08, Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) Helping Hands program served 419 students. Helping Hands is a mentoring program that targets Black/African American male students enrolled in grades 3-8 who are academically marginal. Results are based on the 385 students in grades 3-8 with available data. The mission of the Helping Hands program is to provide services to African-American male students to promote personal development and academic achievement. Helping Hands has academic, behavioral, and attendance goals. Overall, findings suggest that Helping Hands did not have a positive impact on academic success as measured by EOG proficiency or growth. However, Helping Hands did appeared to have a positive impact on suspension trends and excessive absences (10 or more days) relative to Black/African American male students.

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On the High Five PLC Survey, most teachers, regardless of years of experience, viewed PLCs as having a positive impact on their work environment and student learning. Beginning teachers tended to have the highest percentage of agreement. The percentage of teachers agreeing that PLCs were having the desired impact increased between 2007-08 and 2008-09 for both beginning teachers and those with more experience. Thus, trends were in the desired direction.

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'The Wake County Public Schools' (WCPSS) Assessment Item Bank was surveyed to determine the current number of items and to help in developing future plans for the system. First, the Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) goals and objectives were compared to those listed in the WCPSS Assessment Item Bank. The number of items present in the WCPSS Assessment Item Bank was determined for each subject area, by grade and objective. The number of items in the WCPSS Assessment Item Bank was then compared to the state assessment numbers for each objective. This information was used to help determine the areas of need for future efforts to further expand the WCPSS Assessment Item Bank.

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The percentage of mathematics tests taken by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students in grades 3-8 that resulted in Level III or IV scores rose slightly in 2007-08 to 78% from 76% in 2006-07. New End-of-Grade standards had a distinct impact on the results for the reading tests. The percentage of WCPSS students in grades 3-8 that scored in Level III or IV on reading tests fell to 66%, but remained ahead of state rates. Disaggregation by race/ethnicity, income level, and disability status showed an increase in learning gaps between the lowest and highest performing student groups in reading, and a decrease in the gaps in mathematics.

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The North Carolina ABCs Accountability Model has two components: The performance composite and growth. Using those two components, each school is assigned into a recognition category and designated as having met Expected or High Growth. Under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) provision, a school meets Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) if all subgroups with 40 or more students reach pre-set targets in reading and mathematics, and if the school shows progress in its graduation or attendance rate. Eighty-six percent of Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) schools met Expected or High Growth in 2007-08. Sixty percent of WCPSS schools received the designation of School of Progress. Twenty-eight out of 153 schools (18%) met AYP.

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North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) has changed since summer 2007, with more traditional courses and fewer credit-recovery courses. Total NCVPS initial enrollments of Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students were much lower in Fall 2007 (139), Spring 2008 (198), and Summer 2008 (430) than in Summer 2007 (1,378). Students were more likely to complete courses after Summer 2007. However, students enrolled in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 were more likely to drop courses with failure after the deadline than to do so before the cutoff date. Percentages of final enrollments with passing NCVPS course grades increased from 47% in Summer 2007 to 64%, 84%, and 70% in the fall, spring, and summer, respectively. In Summer 2008, pass rates for EOC courses were somewhat lower than for other courses, with relatively low pass rates on EOC tests.

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The Relationship Between Blue Diamond and End-of-Grade Mathematics Assessments WCPSS Elementary and Middle Schools, 2007-2008

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Helping High-Performing Students Achieve at Higher Levels: A Review of the Literature

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This study examined the distribution of middle school reading and mathematics grades in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and the correlation of students' classroom grades and End-of-Grade (EOG) scores in 2006-07. Most students (80% or more) received an A, B, or C in reading and mathematics. Among Level IV students, the percentage with an A in the classroom varied by ethnicity. Mathematics grades had a slightly stronger correlation to the newly revised mathematics EOG scores than did reading grades to the 2006-07 reading EOG scores. Middle school grades of A-F had a weaker correlation to EOG scores than that found for standards-based grading and EOG scores at the elementary school level. Schools varied considerably in terms of the percentage of students receiving an A or B who scored at or above grade level on the EOG.

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In 2007-08, WCPSS K-5 assessment results were similar to past years. Some changes were implemented in the writing assessment methods. The percentage of students demonstrating proficiency was 85% for book level standards and 72% for reading strands. Mathematics mastery was 69% of students. Writing results for strands was 52%, content rubric was 69%, and conventions rubric was 57%. Differences by subject likely reflect differences in standards for the assessments. NCLB subgroup analyses revealed gaps between ethnic groups and groups with and without risk factors. Between 2006-07 and 2007-08, notable improvements were evident for Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Limited English Proficient populations, helping to close the achievement gaps slightly.

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Analysis of 2007-08 WCPSS SAT Scores

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Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) uses a standards-based grading policy at the elementary school level that aligns with North Carolina's Student Accountability Standards and the WCPSS Promotion/Intervention policy. This evaluation examined the distribution of grades given in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and the correlation of students' grades and End-of-Grade (EOG) scores in 2006-07. The study found that over three fourths of students were graded as proficient in reading and mathematics. In reading and mathematics grade K-2 students earned higher grades than their 3-5 counterparts; overall, mathematics grades were lower than reading across the K-5 grade levels. Fourth-quarter reading and mathematics grades were correlated with reading and mathematics' EOG scores. Mathematics grades had a stronger correlation to the newly revised mathematics EOG scores than did fourthquarter reading grades to the current reading EOG scores. Furthermore, a student scoring proficient within the classroom has a greater likelihood of being proficient on their EOG than those with below grade-level scores.

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Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are in the implementation stages throughout the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). Results from the 2007-08 High Five PLC Survey of teachers throughout the school system, as well as observations and focus group interviews in selected schools, show that strong support continues for PLC implementation overall, (66% to 87% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with statements about each PLC element). Results suggest PLC concepts and work efforts are well underway and are growing in implementation. Challenges cited include finding time for PLC team work and remediation of student skills, increasing the understanding of all staff of PLC concepts, and increasing teachers' skills in developing and using quality formative assessments.

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Describes the Kindergarten Initial Assessment which all students are given as they enter kindergarten to assess their beginning skills. Also describes the kinds of skills that are helpful for students to have in kindergarten.

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This report draws together various academic performance results for middle school students in WCPSS. Generally speaking, students in grades 6-8 continue to do well on most achievement measures, but there are significant gaps in outcomes between different student subgroups, including ethnic groups, program groups, and also between male and female students. Analysis of student outcomes is provided at the grade level as well as for subgroups. This report also describes demographic trends that impact our student outcomes as well as information about students retained in grade. Finally, the report provides summaries of several research and evaluation efforts related to effective practices for promoting student achievement.

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This report draws together various academic performance results for elementary students in WCPSS. Generally speaking, students in grades K-5 continue to do well on most literacy measures, but there has been a decline in mathematics EOG performance, largely resulting from the State Board of Education's action to create more rigorous cut scores for achievement levels. Analysis of student outcomes is provided at the grade level as well as for subgroups. This report describes demographic trends that impact our student outcomes as well as information about students retained in grade. Finally, the report provides summaries of several research and evaluation efforts related to effective practices for promoting student achievement.

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This report draws together various academic performance results for middle school students in WCPSS. Generally speaking, students in grades 6-8 continue to do well on most literacy measures, but there has been a decline in mathematics EOG performance, largely resulting from the State Board of Education's action to create more rigorous cut scores for achievement levels. Results for the new test of computer skills are also a concern. Analysis of student outcomes is provided at the grade level as well as for subgroups. This report describes demographic trends that impact our student outcomes as well as information about students retained in grade. Finally, the report provides summaries of several research and evaluation efforts related to effective practices for promoting student achievement.

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In 2005-06, four private agencies provided 252 Hodge Road students with supplemental educational services as one component of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Only students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) were eligible. More than half of those served scored at or above grade level before service, while some students who scored below grade level were not eligible. The curricular materials used were remedial and not designed to extend the learning of students scoring at grade level. At grades 1-2, the percentage of students reaching grade level in literacy increased for those served; this was not the case for not-served students. Both served and not served students improved End-of-Grade (EOG) reading performance at grades 3-5. Students who had multiple risk factors (limited English proficient [LEP] or students with disabilities [SWD] in addition to FRL) showed the greatest increases in the percentage of students at grade level. A major caution when interpreting the results is that analyses could not control for other intervention efforts that may have contributed to results found.

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SAT Scores: 2005-06

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This evaluation examined 1,524 students in grade 1 at 13 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) schools that participated in the Predictive Assessment of Reading (PAR) study in 2004-05. It also examined their participation in the Accelerated Learning Program K-2 Literacy Program during 2004-05. Both literacy initiatives focused on identifying students in need of additional assistance and providing support to those students. Student success was measured by the PAR assessment and WCPSS instructional book levels. The PAR assessment was used to determine the benefit of PAR only and PAR plus ALP K-2, the correlation of the two instruments, and whether PAR and ALP K-2 identified the same students as at-risk. Although the experimental and control groups saw similar results overall, students who participated in the ALP K-2 program saw greater gains among the experimental group. While PAR participants showed substantial improvement on the PAR assessment, ALP K-2 participants showed similar gains on book level with or without full PAR support. There was a significant positive relationship between students' performance on the PAR assessment and book level and a substantial overlap in the students identified as at-risk of failure by both programs.

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End-of-Course (EOC) test results in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) for 2004-05 remained largely unchanged from 2003-04. Average scale scores rose slightly in four subjects and dropped slightly in three others. The percentage of students scoring proficient (Level III or IV) dropped slightly in six subjects and rose slightly in two others. Proficiency rates exceeded 85% in Algebra I, Algebra II, English I, Chemistry, and Physics. Physical Science had the lowest proficiency rate (67.2%) but showed the largest improvement for the second consecutive year. Significant gaps remain among various student subgroups based on factors such as ethnicity, disability status, and family income. Among ethnic groups, Black/African American students have demonstrated the largest proficiency gains on six of the eight EOC tests since 1998-99.

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The percentage of reading and mathematics tests taken by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students in grades 3-8 that resulted in Level III or IV scores fell slightly in 2004-05 to 90.8% from 91.1% in 2003-04. The percentage of students scoring in Level III or IV was slightly higher in mathematics (91.4%) than in reading (90.4%). The percentage of students scoring in Level III or IV in reading showed slight increases at all grade levels except grade 4, while percentages in mathematics rose slightly in grades 6 and 7 and fell in grades 3, 4, and 5. Female students out performed male students in both subjects. Disaggregation by race/ethnicity, income level, and disability status showed either no change or a small increase in the percentage of reading scores at Level III or IV and no change or a small decline in mathematics for most groups.

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This report summarizes national, state, and county SAT data for Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) graduating seniors who took the test any time during their high school years through March 2005. The statistics presented are primarily based on reports provided by the College Board and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The average total SAT score for WCPSS graduating seniors in 2004-05 was 1075, up from 1063 in 2003-04. The average score on the verbal subtest increased from 524 to 527, while the average score on the mathematics subtest increased from 539 to 548. The participation rate for WCPSS graduating seniors dipped slightly for the second consecutive year, from 77% in 2003-04 to 75% in 2004-05. Both the WCPSS total SAT score and participation rate, however, remain higher than the corresponding state and national figures.

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The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) saw improved achievement between the late 1990s and 2003, both in overall trends and results disaggregated by subgroup. Achievement gaps began to close. The percentage of students scoring at grade level is now quite high. In the past three years, the percentage of lower income, minority, and limited-English-proficient students has increased, and the percentage of students at grade level has changed very little. Dropout and graduation rates show some closing of gaps between Black and White students, but not between Hispanic/Latino and White students. Identifying ways to further close achievement gaps and improve other student outcomes is challenging, especially in light of additional graduation requirements which will be added for students entering 9th grade in the 2006-07 school year.

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Eighty-seven percent of all Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students instructed during 2002-03 were continuously enrolled (CE) in one school from the first week of the school year until the last day of school. Across grade levels CE percentages steadily increased from only 82% in kindergarten to 94% in grade 12, except for a dip to 83% in ninth grade that was primarily due to dropouts. A majority of the students who were not continuously enrolled from the first week (MOBILE) were African-American/Black or Hispanic/Latino, and students in the MOBILE group were much more likely to come from low-income families than were students in the CE group. Passing rates and average scale scores on 5th, 8th, and 10th grade End-of-Grade (EOG) tests were lower for the MOBILE group than for the CE group in almost every comparison, even when controlling for ethnicity and family income differences.

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This report summarizes national, state, and county SAT data for Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) graduating seniors who took the test any time during their high school years through March 2004. The statistics presented are primarily based on reports provided by the College Board and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The average total SAT score for WCPSS graduating seniors in 2003-04 was 1063, down from 1067 in 2002-03. The average score on the verbal subtest stayed at 524, while the average score on the mathematics subtest dropped from 543 to 539. The participation rate for WCPSS graduating seniors also dipped slightly from 80% in 2002-03 to 77% in 2003-04. Both the WCPSS total SAT score and participation rate, however, remain higher than the corresponding state and national figures.

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Early Start, a pilot preschool program, offered three weeks of literacy and social skills preparation to pre-enrolled kindergarten students who have limited to no preschool experience. The percentage of participants mastering the six assessed concepts of print jumped from 5% to 52%. Entering students mastered an average of three out of six concepts of print and finished averaging five out of six. Student progress was also measured using 10 literacy and personal/social items from the Kindergarten Initial Assessment (KIA). Increases in overall proficiency were minimal due to a high number of students entering the program already proficient on the assessed items. Closer examination of these items using a four-part rubric did reveal improvements toward greater proficiency. However, participants scored similarly to demographically matched nonparticipants on the full KIA administered upon entry into kindergarten. Thus, overall results indicate growth for targeted skills. However, this growth was not sufficient to influence overall performance on the KIA.

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WCPSS uses K-5 assessments in literacy and mathematics to monitor student status in their learning, to guide instruction, and to assess whether students and schools are showing typical performance for their grade level. The percentage of students showing grade-level performance is generally between 77% and 87% on the reading and mathematics assessments. Percentages tend to be somewhat lower than those seen on the EOG tests. Increases in the percentage of students reaching grade-level standards in literacy and math at K-2 could help WCPSS reach Goal 2008 at grades 3 and up. WCPSS writing portfolios show more students scoring "at grade level" at K-2 (81%) than at grade 3-5 (62%). At grade 4, 57% of WCPSS students were considered at grade level based on local writing portfolios compared to 47.7% on the state assessment. Writing still appears to be the area where the most improvement is needed to reach state and local standards.

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Students at 15 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) high schools took 5,468 Advanced Placement (AP) exams offered by the College Board in 2002-03. The percentage of all juniors and seniors in the district who took at least one AP exam rose from 19.7% in 2001-02 to 20.4% in 2002-03. However, the percentage of exams earning a score of 3 or higher (the score typically needed to qualify for college course credit) decreased by 1.1 percentage points to 79.4% in 2002-03. WCPSS' overall success rate was substantially higher than that of North Carolina (58.0%), the U.S. South (56.7%), and the nation as a whole (61.5%). As in previous years, disparities in participation and performance by high school, gender, and race were observed.

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Project Achieve, a local instructional initiative, was adapted from a Brazosport, Texas model. The program grew from eight to 16 schools in three years, and all 16 schools had a higher percentage of students at grade level in spring 2004 than prior to the program. Third-year results were relatively positive but not as consistently so as in the two earlier years. Nine of 13 (69%) participating elementary schools met the state ABCs High Growth standard (including the new schools), compared to 51% of Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) elementary schools overall. Thirteen of 16 schools (81%)--compared to 69% of all WCPSS elementary and middle schools--increased the percentage of students at/above grade level in spring 2004. Controlling for student background variables, scale score gains for students in Project Achieve were similar to those of comparable WCPSS students across three years.

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In 2003-04, the Title I program was expanded to serve students in grades 3-5. Similar to the Title I K-2 program, the 3-5 program offered accelerated literacy intervention. The vast majority of students were served using the Fast Track Reading curriculum. Fast Track Reading combines explicit reading skills and phonics instruction with comprehension coaching and fluency practice. Fast Track is designed to accelerate student learning to raise students' performance to grade level standards. The demographics of Title I students served in grades 3-5 differs from Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) grade 3-5 students due to the focus on serving students at risk of failure. The percentage of Title I students across grades 3-5 scoring at Level III or IV (grade level) on End-of-Grade (EOG) tests doubled. Students in grade 5 showed the greatest improvement, followed by students in grades 3 and 4. Increases from Spring 2003 and Spring 2004 in the percentage of students scoring at Level III or IV were strong for all Title I subgroups compared to WCPSS overall.

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The Magnet Schools Assistance Program Annual Performance Report Year 3 (2003-2004) was implemented from September 1, 2003, through August 31, 2004 in the WCPSS. Staff members implemented activities this U.S. Department of Education grant project. They built upon the foundation established in Years 1 and 2 and endeavored to fully accomplish the scope and objectives of the project by the end of Year 3. They sought to reach all performance benchmarks established for Year 3 as well as to make up for any benchmarks not fully achieved in Years 1 and 2. When senior members of the project staff realized that not every objective would be fully completed by the end of Year 3, they requested and received a no-cost extension from the MSAP office for an additional project year (September 1, 2004-August 31, 2005). Schools participating in the project and their magnet themes are: Brooks Elementary School - Museums, Joyner Elementary School - Language Explorations, Millbrook Elementary School - International Baccalaureate, Powell Elementary School - Visual and Performing Arts, and Moore Square Middle School - Museums. The project focuses on four major purposes and has objectives related to each. Annual benchmarks have been established to measure success in achieving the objectives. The four MSAP purposes are listed below, followed by a summary of accomplishments or deficits in meeting the Year 3 benchmarks for each purpose.

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End-of-Course (EOC) test scores in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) showed generally positive results when compared to prior years. Average scale scores rose in five of eight subject areas, and the percentage of students scoring in the proficient range (Level III or IV) reached new highs in four subjects: Algebra I, Algebra II, chemistry, and physics. More than 85% of students scored at Level III or IV in five subjects: Algebra I, Algebra II, English I, chemistry, and physics. The lowest percentage at Level III or IV was in physical science (65.8%); however, physical science showed the largest improvement from the previous year, rising more than four percentage points. The composite percentage of all EOC test scores at Level III or IV rose from 83.1% in 2002-03 to 83.2% for the eight courses tested in 2003-04.

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North Carolina's 2003-04 ABCs accountability results showed that, for the first time, more than half (64) of the Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) schools were designated as Honor School of Excellence or School of Excellence and another 35 were designated as School of Distinction. The 79% of WCPSS schools receiving one of these designations was much higher than the 56% of schools statewide. High Growth was achieved by 46% of WCPSS schools compared to 35% of schools statewide. This was a decline for both the district and the state from 2003 when the percentages were 75% and 72% respectively. Expected Growth was achieved by 38% of WCPSS schools and 40% of schools statewide. Districtwide, the Performance Composite rose to 92.1% for grades 3-5, 88.9% for grades 6-8, and 82.8% for grades 9-12.

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The Title I/Accelerated Learning Program K-2 Literacy Program (ALP K-2) served 4,732 students in kindergarten, first, and second grade identified as at risk of failure and in need of assistance in language arts. For a variety of reasons, over half of the students who scored below grade level on local assessments as of spring 2002 were not served, and others who scored at grade level were served. Nearly all of the staff surveyed reported that the program was an effective method of improving students' literacy skills. ALP students' literacy skills did improve. However, the mean gains in print concept scores (for kindergarten) and book level scores (for grades 1 and 2) were no different than for similar students not served. Approximately the same percentage of students were on grade level in spring 2003 as in spring 2002.

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Project Achieve is a major Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) instructional initiative to improve student achievement adapted from a Brazosport, Texas model. The number of schools involved increased from 8 to 13 in 2002-03. Results were positive. All Project Achieve elementary and middle schools met the state ABCs High Growth standard both years (up from five in spring 2001), and nearly all schools increased the percent of students at or above grade level in their first year. In Year 2, compared to other WCPSS students, participation in Project Achieve was generally associated with significantly higher gains in mathematics and similar gains in reading (when background characteristics were controlled through regression analyses). Staff members also expressed more positive opinions about the academic program in their schools than in the past.

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The percentage of reading and math tests taken by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students in grades 3-8 that resulted in Level III or IV scores fell slightly in 2004 to 91.1% from 91.3% in 2003. However, the percentage of students scoring in Level IV remained stable at 60.4%. The percentage of students scoring in Level III or IV was slightly higher in Math (92.1%) than in Reading (90.0%). Average reading scale scores showed slight declines at all grade levels except grade 5, while average math scale scores rose slightly in grades 4, 5, 6, and 7 and fell slightly in grades 3 and 8. Disaggregation of scores by race/ethnicity showed a small decline (down about two percentage points) in the percentage of Hispanic scores on grade level in both reading and math, a small rise (less than one point) for Asian and Black students in both reading and math, and mixed results for White and Multi-ethnic groups. Students from low-income families and students with disabilities showed small improvements in both reading and math.

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Project Achieve is a major Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) instructional initiative to improve student achievement adapted from a Brazosport, Texas model. The number of schools involved increased from 8 to 13 in 2002-03. Results were generally positive. All Project Achieve elementary and middle schools met the state ABCs High Growth standard in spring 2003 (up from five in spring 2001), and 10 of 13 schools increased the percent of students at or above grade level. Compared to other WCPSS students, participation in Project Achieve was generally associated with significantly higher gains in mathematics and similar gains in reading (when background characteristics were controlled through regression analyses). Staff members also expressed more positive opinions about the academic program in their schools than in the past.

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In the first year of implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation in North Carolina, 51 of the 79 elementary schools, one of the 25 middle schools, and one of the 16 high schools in Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) met the requirements of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Of the 48 Title I schools (all elementary) in WCPSS, 29 met AYP and 19 failed to meet AYP requirements. The number of reading and math AYP targets applicable to WCPSS schools ranged from eight to 32. Seven of the eight schools with 13 or fewer targets met the AYP requirements. All eleven schools with more than 25 targets failed to meet the AYP requirements. The two subgroups that most frequently failed to meet AYP were SWD (students with disabilities) and FRL (free or reduced-price lunch) students.

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The percentage of WCPSS schools meeting either high growth or expected growth standards reached a new high of 97% in 2002-03. Elementary schools performed the best, with 89% achieving high growth. No elementary or high school failed to meet expected growth standards.

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The average total SAT score for Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) seniors in 2002-03 was 1067 (out of a possible 1600 points), matching last year's highest-ever district score. Average scores on both the math section (543) and the verbal section (524) remained the same as scores in 2001-02.

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End-of-Course (EOC) test scores in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in 2002-03 showed generally positive results when compared to prior years. Average scale scores rose in six out of ten subject areas, and the percentage of students scoring in the proficient range (Level III or Level IV) reached new highs in five out of ten subjects.

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For the first time in the WCPSS history, the percentage of all EOG exam scores at or above grade level (Level III or IV) surpassed 90% in 2003. The composite percentage, which includes reading and math scores for all grade 3-8 students, rose from 89.4% in 2002 to 91.3% this year.

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At the end of the 2001-02 school year, 90.5% percent of students in grades K-8 were promoted, 3.6% were retained, and 5.9% withdrew from Wake County Public Schools. Of the 48,874 students in grades 3-8, 95% took at least one End-of-Grade (EOG) test. The retention rate was higher among students in grades 3-8 who did not take EOG tests (6.1%) than for students who took EOG tests (2.4%). The rate of retention for male students was consistently higher than that of female students. Students receiving free or reduced lunch, students with Limited English Proficiency status, and students with Special Education status had lower promotion rates and higher retention rates than their counterparts. Kindergarten (8%) and 1st-grade (7%) students had the highest rate of retention. One percent of White students were retained compared to 5% of Black and Hispanic/Latino students.

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Students at 15 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) high schools took approximately 4,878 Advanced Placement exams offered by the College Board in 2001-02. With 20% of all juniors and seniors in the district taking at least one AP exam, the percent attaining a score of 3 or higher on a 5-point scale (the score typically needed to qualify for college course credit) reached a 10-year high of 80.5%, up 3.3 percentage points from the previous year. WCPSS' overall success rate was higher than that of comparable large school districts, and 17 percentage points higher than the rate for the nation as a whole. On the five most frequently taken AP exams, the percent of scores that were 3 or higher rose an average of 8.6 points.

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WCPSS initiated the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) in 1999-2000 as the major new intervention to help all students reach grade-level performance in reading and math. Analyses of the program's third year results show that overall, changes in both achievement growth and performance support the effectiveness of ALP and other assistance at grades 3-8.

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In the 2001-02 school year, NovaNET students earned significantly higher GPAs and fewer F's than before participating in NovaNET. NovaNET students did not show significantly greater gains than students in a comparison group that had similar demographic and academic characteristics; however, analyses revealed that the two groups varied somewhat in terms of prior suspensions, so results should be interpreted with caution. Some schools had much greater participation and student success than others. Strategies used by successful NovaNET programs include individualizing coursework; supplemental counseling and behavior modification; selecting the most appropriate students; requiring students to sign a contract promising to complete the course; and giving offline assignments to supplement NovaNET. Extending successful school practices to all schools could increase overall program impact.

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This is an evaluation of the pilot year of Project Achieve, a major local instructional initiative at six elementary schools and two middle schools to help reach the WCPSS goal of 95% of students at or above grade level. Participating schools had a higher percentage of low-income students and low-achieving students and slightly less stable student populations than the district as a whole. The initiative is based on the same principles and instructional process applied in the Brazosport, Texas school district, with modifications tailored to local needs and based on the NC Standard Course of Study. Project training and development did occur as planned from early 2001 to implementation in the 2001-02 school year. Participating schools did exceed ABCs growth and performance standards of the previous (baseline) year, as evidenced by annual NC ABCs Accountability System reports. Additionally, parents and staff expressed more positive opinions about the academic program in participating schools.

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The average total SAT score for Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) seniors in 2001-2002 was 1067, a thirteen point gain from 2000-01 and a six point gain from the previous high score of 1061 achieved in 1999-00. Both math and verbal scores in 2002 were the highest they have ever been.

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The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) provides a comprehensive program of extra support for students in grades K-8 who have not yet reached grade level standards. In the summer of 2002, the Voyager Summer Academy was offered in WCPSS at grades 2-8 to students scoring at Level I or II (below grade level) in reading or math. (The State of North Carolina required a summer intervention at grades 3, 5, and 8, and WCPSS offered the program at the other grade levels as well.) WCPSS utilized the Voyager Time Warp series, which is a summer reading intervention program. Designed to decrease summer learning loss and reduce the achievement gap, Voyager Time Warp is based on the premise that lessons generating high student interest, combined with academically challenging material, will increase student motivation and improve student achievement. The Time Warp reading program is a four-hour-a day, four-week program. WCPSS also adopted Voyager's one-hour-per-day V-Math series for use in combination with the reading intervention. A variety of methods were used to assess the Voyager program including student, parent, teacher, and site coordinator surveys, a quality assurance checklist, in-depth interviews, and a focus group. Voyager pre/post assessments designed by the publisher and results on pre/post North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) tests were also used to evaluate Voyager's effectiveness.

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End-of-Course (EOC) test scores in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in 2001- 2002 showed generally positive results when compared to prior years. Both mean scale scores and the percentage of students scoring at Level III or Level IV reached new highs in eight out of ten subject areas.

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For all WCPSS schools: 55% achieved high growth; 33% achieved expected growth but did not reach high growth; 12% did not meet expected growth but showed adequate performance

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The percentage of students identified as needing extra support in the acquisition of reading skills at the next grade level dropped in kindergarten, first, and second grades from the 1999-2000 school year to 2000-2001. Approximately the same percentage of students in grades 1, 2, and 3 were identified as needing extra support in writing as had been reported in 1999-2000. As for mathematics performance, more kindergarten students in 2000-2001 (14%) than in 1999- 2000 (11%) remained at the pre-emergent stage of mathematics development and were identified as needing extra support in the next school year. The percent of grades 1-5 students demonstrating proficiency in none of the mathematics strands decreased from 1999-2000 but increased slightly for students demonstrating proficiency in only one of the four strands. Because of the subjective nature of the assessments, it is not clear if these results indicate a change in students' true achievement or an increased focus by teachers on requirements in some subjects. In other words, did the students really have better skills in reading and lower skills in math? Evidence from other sources will need to be considered before making changes in instruction or in allocation of resources.

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WCPSS EOG multiple-choice results for 2001- 2002 show increases at all grade levels in both reading and math. Both the percentage of students scoring at or above grade level and average scale scores reached new highs.

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In 2001-02, WCPSS Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant began implementation for three schools in the project and planned for two others. Schools in their first implementation year were: Joyner Elementary School, Language Explorations Millbrook Elementary School, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Powell Elementary School ,Visual and Performing Arts Schools in their planning year included Brooks Elementary School ( Museums), and Moore Square Middle School ( Museums). Objective accomplishment as of the end of year 1 is described.

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Both fourth-grade and seventh-grade writing assessment scores declined in 2002 in WCPSS. The percentage of fourth-grade students who scored at or above 2.5 dropped 23.8 percentage points from 78.1 in 2001 to 54.3 in 2002. Seventh-grade scores dropped 13.8 percentage points from 77.5 in 2001 to 63.7 in 2002

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This report examines students' academic success in WCPSS based on outcomes such as achievement test scores, dropout rates, and course enrollments. Gaps have been evident in the achievement of students with different backgrounds and characteristics for decades. These gaps in achievement are one of the biggest challenges facing educators across the country. In some areas, the gaps in student outcomes in WCPSS have narrowed over time.

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Report Summary Analysis of EOG test results for 2000-2001 shows that: Scores on all four tests targeted by the 2003 Goal were higher than ever before. As reported in 2000, current rates of improvement are still inadequate to reach the goal. Groups that have the highest percentage of students scoring below grade level (students from low-income families, African-American and Hispanic students) have made the largest gains since 1998. ALP interventions appear to be benefiting all demographic groups. The strongest predictor of low achievement is income, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced price lunch. Approximately 46% of students tested who participated in the school lunch program scored in Levels I or II.

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2000-2001 North Carolina ABC Results

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2000-2001 End-of-Grade Multiple-Choice Test Results

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What Can You Do To Support High SAT Scores?

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End-of-Course (EOC) test scores in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in 2000-2001 showed generally positive results when compared to 1999-2000 data. WCPSS students showed gains in seven subject areas and no change in three subject areas on the multiple-choice tests. No multiple-choice test showed a decline in average score. On the English II writing test, 63.0% of WCPSS students showed proficiency in writing in 2001, up 4.9 percentage points from 58.1% proficient in 2000.

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2000-2001 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Results

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More kindergarten students in 2000 (37%) than in 1999 (29%) were beyond the early emergent/emergent reading stage by the end of the year. Nonetheless, almost one-fourth of both kindergarten and first-grade students, and one-third of second-grade students, were identified as needing extra reading support at the next grade level because they were behind the majority of students in the acquisition of reading skills. In contrast, fewer grade 2 students (18%) and grade 3 students (9%) were identified as needing extra support in writing. As for mathematics performance, slightly fewer kindergarten students in 2000 (11%) than in 1999 (12%) remained at the pre-emergent stage of mathematics development and were identified as needing extra support in the next school year. However, the percent of grades 1-5 students demonstrating proficiency in none of the mathematics strands or in only one of the four strands ranged from 13% at first grade to 22% at grades 3-5.

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Report Summary Analysis of EOG test results for 1999-2000 shows that: Scores on all four tests targeted by the 2003 Goal were higher than ever before. Current rates of improvement are inadequate to reach the goal. The groups which have the highest percentage of students scoring below grade level are students from low income families, African-American and Hispanic students, and students identified as learning disabled or behaviorally/emotionally handicapped. The strongest predictor of low achievement is income, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced price lunch. Approximately 52% of students qualifying for the school lunch program scored in Levels I or II. On average, students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program (FRL) show smaller academic gains than other students and are three years behind their non-FRL peers in middle school.

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1999-2000 End-of-Grade Multiple Choice Test Results

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1999-2000 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Results

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1998-99 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Results

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