Preliminary results of the 2015-2016 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests indicate significant improvements in all schools in Patrick County, according to a news release from Dr. William Sroufe, division superintendent.
“All schools have shown tremendous improvement,” Sroufe said.
Based on Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) historical data and this year’s preliminary data from the 2012-2013 through 2015-2016 school years, Patrick County’s SOL pass rate increased from around 72% to slightly under 82%, Sroufe said. In the same time frame, math SOL scores improved from 71% to 86%.
“Our growth has been due to the dedicated students, teachers and building leaders in Patrick County,” Sroufe said. ”We have refocused our attention on the intentional instruction of our students. We have been analyzing our data. We look at our strengths and weaknesses, and adjust our instruction. Any time you get double-digit gains, you know you’re on the right track.”
“As shown through increased student achievement, our team based an ongoing focus on aligning what we teach, adjusting how we teach it, and reflecting on student progress,” said Dr. Cyndi C. Williams, executive director of instruction. “Our team continues to improve how we serve students and families as we move into a new school year. We strive every day for the best for our students and are proud of their accomplishments.”
Shannon Brown, outgoing principal of Stuart Elementary School, said that SES focused on “intentional and aligned” instruction.
“We implemented new instructional strategies that increased student engagement and helped students develop deeper critical thinking skills in all subject areas,” Brown said.
Marcie Murphy, newly-appointed principal of Stuart Elementary School, said, “We saw great gains in our reading SOL scores which we attribute to the teachers’ use of leveled library resources for guided reading instruction. SES faculty, staff and students set high expectations for themselves and worked diligently all year to meet their goals.
“Woolwine Elementary School continues to put students first!” said Dee Owens, WES principal. “Our teachers are dedicated and continue to put an emphasis on student learning, growth and achievement. Our school is fortunate to have the support of a great community, and we continually strive to ensure that students have the support and opportunities for learning. Together with great students, we are successful!”
Patrick Springs Primary School is very excited to have performed well in both math and reading on the SOL tests, said Jeannie King, principal of PSPS. “This is attributed to our wonderful students, staff, parents, community volunteers, and the division emphasizing the importance of putting lessons before students that are aligned with high academic standards that include the materials students need to be successful, like more reading texts and computer technology.”
King added that smaller class sizes also contributed to the success rate for the third-graders. “PSPS continues to be thankful for the support from our parents, PTO, community lunch and study buddy programs, central office staff, and others who generously give their time and resources to our school,” she said.
First-year Principal Kirk Renegar said the 2015-2016 school year was “tremendous for Hardin Reynolds Memorial School.”
“Our students put forth a supreme effort from start to finish with support from their community and families,” Renegar said. “The investment by the staff could not have been greater, and the results certainly bear that out. We look forward to continuing to grow our students and improve our collective performance.”
Sandra Clement, Blue Ridge Elementary School principal, said BRES had continued to see a positive shift in math scores over the last three years, but had not experienced the growth in reading performance until the spring 2016 testing session.
“This year our reading scores improved by seven percentage points,” Clement said. “We are so proud of our students. Teachers, staff, and instructional volunteers have worked so diligently to improve comprehension strategies focusing on the strengths of each individual student this year to ensure the academic success that we finally experienced. We appreciate parents and community members who are so vested in our learners.”
“Meadows of Dan Elementary School is so proud of our students, families, staff and community,” said Principal Jason Wood. “Everyone worked extremely hard and did a tremendous job this year and the results on our SOL tests are a true indication of all the great things happening at our school. We know that by working together and focusing on the individual needs of each student, everyone can succeed.”
Patrick County High School Principal Kenneth “Trey” Cox said the success of PCHS came from “the diligence and dedication of our faculty and staff and the continued support of our parents and community.”
However, and most importantly, Cox said, “it came from the hard work, effort and dedication from our students. We are proud of all our accomplishments for the 2015-2016 school year. We look forward to continued progress in the future.”
According to the Virginia Accountability Guide Document, school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on SOL tests and other approved assessments in English, history/social science, mathematics and science.
Ratings are based on the achievements of students on tests taken during the previous academic year or on a three-year or four-year average of achievement.
Elementary and middle schools receive a rating of “fully accredited” if students achieve all of the following adjusted pass rates: English, 75% or higher; mathematics, 70% or higher; science, 70% or higher; and history, 70% or higher.
High schools are fully accredited if students achieve adjusted pass rates of 75% or higher in English and 70% or higher in mathematics, science and history. High schools must also attain a point value of 85 or greater based on the Graduation and Completion Index (GCI).
