SOL results presented to school board | News | altavistajournal.com – Altavista Journal

By Jeffrey Westbrook

Altavista Journal

The Campbell County School Board heard about the County and state’s most recent SOL test results and updates to the division’s Comprehensive Plan at the October meeting.

Ms. Sarah Robertson delivered to the board an update on the schools’ SOL test results from spring of 2023.

Robertson informed the board that the test scores showed improvement from the previous academic year, and the district is continuing to work toward regaining pre-covid levels.

She pointed out that for both Campbell County and the state, a big issue has been chronic absenteeism. “our students learn best when they are in school,” she maintained.

According to graph data which Robertson showed the board, district-wide test scores for both reading and math showed an improvement of a few percentage points over last year and a few percentage points over the state average.

Science scores improved over last year but trailed the state average by a few percentage points. History scores held the level from last year, a few percentage points over the state average.

Writing scores still fall considerably behind pre-covid scores, but have improved markedly over last year. In both 2019 and 2021, grade eight writing scores were at the 73rd percentile, while the 2022 results dropped to the 44th percentile. The 2023 result climbed to the 52nd percentile, while the state average was at the 55th percentile.

The high school students have been completing a three-year portfolio of writing achievement. She informed the board that next year, grades five, eight, and eleven will have a new format for SOL writing testing, which will be an integrated reading and writing assessment.

Robertson also assured the board that the district has implemented and continues to use measures to improve student writing ability.

Robertson announced that all of the schools in Campbell County division are fully accredited for the 2023- 2024 school year.

Dr. Amy Hale, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Director of Secondary Education, then provided the Board with the Comprehensive Plan updates for the district’s Continuous Improvement Plan. The current plan was launched in 2022 and continues until 2027.

As part of that comprehensive plan, the district adopted a mission statement: “To provide a world-class education that enables every student to choose and pursue any post K-12 endeavor.”

Hale continued with the first objective for curriculum and instruction: “Ensure mastery of unfinished learning, attain grade level proficiency, and move all student learning as seen and monitored through assessments and data analysis, which will inform curriculum and instruction.”

The curriculum team continues to work on meeting this objective, beginning last school year, through the summer, and into the current school year. The elementary schools have focused on literacy and math, while the secondary schools focus on math and science.

At the elementary level, the schools are implementing a new English program based on the science of reading, Hale explained. The secondary English focus has been on middle school writing and preparing for the new standards.

Both elementary and secondary math curriculum teams have been preparing for the new standards.

For science, the big focus has been on middle school, with a move away from a strictly earth science curriculum to a blended science format and a continuous story approach to various aspects of science.

For example, the 6th and 7th grade curriculum includes units with titles such as “Earth and space systems: to infinity… and beyond!,” “Atoms and matter: It’s a small world after all!,” “Water: Thirsty much?,” and “Natural resources: With great power comes great responsibility.” The aim is to present scientific information in a story format in language geared for 6th and 7th graders.

Meanwhile, high school curriculum is focusing on college, career, and civic readiness. The high schools have expanded their electives offerings with this view in mind. Increased work-based learning offerings and training are also available through the program’s Coordinator at the Campbell County Tech Center, Ashley Wilson.

Hale was pleased to inform the board that all of the high schools met the College, Career, and Civic Readiness Index at the highest level. Next, the focus will be on updating academic and career planning for middle school students.

The district includes a variety of programs to prepare the students for college and career tracks. Each year, a couple of highlights include College and Career Day and CTE Signing Day. Hale informed of the board that at Signing Day, some students not only received jobs, but some even received raises.

Ather objective the district has is to “Provide professional development that will equip CCPS staff with the knowledge and skills to ensure students success.” Some of the professional development measures include English Language Learner training from Longwood University, a reading intervention program for elementary teachers, special education teacher training, professional development days, and a Teacher Learning Academy in June. This year’s Academy included over 380 participants.

In addition to curriculum and instruction objectives, Hale also shared various student support measures the district has implemented, including mental health and behavior support. Support measures also include protocols for emergencies and continued partnership with school resource officers.

Hale also shared the CCPS human resources objectives. They prioritize “Encouraging and supporting the recruitment, development, and retention of well-prepared and skilled teachers and leaders.” Measures included a job fair, a mentoring program for new teachers, and an Aspiring Administrators Academy. Thirteen teachers and assistant administrators are meeting monthly in this year’s Academy.

The comprehensive plan also includes attention to school operations, “Recognizing that the administrative procedures used to effectively operate a school system may impact the learning opportunities and environments of students and staff. Therefore, we will enhance current practices and seek alternative and creative means to meet the needs of each student in Campbell County.”

A major highlight of School Operations has been the opening of the new Rustburg Middle School. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at the new school on November 4, beginning at 2 p.m.

Hale added that the next capital improvement project will be the Brookville High School Project.

Her report further included security system, visitor management, technology, STEM, and digital citizenship updates. The STEM updates include creative endeavors such as robotics and 3D pens for elementary students and class VR sets and drones for secondary students.

Altavista District Board member Gary Mattox inquired about the ELL program with Longwood University. Hale replied that it is a course offered by the university, and teachers have taken it mostly online. About 10 teachers each year have taken the program.