Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Aug. 10, 1978, edition 1 / Page 4
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Specific grade performance noted ? in Perquimans annual testing results By KATHY M. NEWBERN Following Thursday's release of test scores for students in Perquimans County who participated in the statewide annual testing, the following results are presented. The grade equivalent scores for the average first grade student in Perqui mans County were 1.9 in reading and 2.5 in mathematics. In contrast, the average first grade stu dent in the state performed 1.7 in reading and 2.1 in mathematics. The national figure is 1.7 for both areas. While officials warn against drawing conclu sions from grade equiva lency scores, first graders in Perquimans did better than first graders in both the state and nation. And, the average student in the first grade in Per quimans scored higher than 65 percent of the first grade students in the na tion in reading and higher than 89 percent of the students in mathematics. This percentile rank, ac cording to school officials, is a better and more ac curate comparison. If so, Perquimans first graders did extremely well in reading and excellent in mathematics. The grade equivalent scores for the average second grade student in Perquimans were 2.6 in reading and 2.6 in mathematics. In contrast, the average second grade student in the state per formed 2.8 in reading and 3.2 in math. The 2.7 figure is the average for students in (he nation. Interpreted in percentile terms, the average student in the second grade in Per quimans scored higher than 45 percent of the second grade students in the nation in reading, and higher than 46 per cent of the students in mathematics. The grade equivalent scores for the average third grade student in Per quimans were 3.4 in read ing, 3.6 in mathematics, 3.6 in language, 3.9 in spelling and 3.5 on the total test. In contrast, the average stu dent in the state performed 3.5 in reading, 3.6 in mathematics, 3.6 in lan guage, 3.8 in spelling, and make your home COME illVE! 15 oo the total test. The average grade equivalent for students in the nation is 3.7. In percentile terms, the average student in the third grade in Perquimans scored higher than 41 per cent of the third grade students in the nation in reading, higher than 44 percent of the students in mathematics, higher than 46 percent of the students in language, higher than 57 percent in spelling, and 43 percent on the total test. The grade equivalent scores for the average sixth grade student in Per quimans were: 5.8 in read ing, 5.7 in mathematics, 5.6 in language, 8.5 in spelling, and 5.8 on the total test. The national average at this grade level for all three tests were 6.7, whereas the average stu dent in the state scored 6.3 in reading, 6.5 in mathematics, 6.6 in language, 7.1 in spelling, and 6.4 on the total test. Perquimans sixth graders scored lower using the grade equivalency figure than students in the state in all areas except spell ing. They were also lower in all areas, except spell ing, when compared to students in the nation. In comparison to sixth grade students in the na tion and state, the average sixth grade student in Per quimans scored higher than 37 percent in the na tion in reading, higher than 31 percent in the nation in mathematics, higher than 39 percent in the nation in language, higher than 35 percent in the nation on the total test. However, 50 percent is considered average. The grade equivalent scores for the average ninth grade student in Per quimans County were 7.9 in reading, 7.9 for mathematics, 7.4 for language, and 7.8 for total test. The national grade equivalent for students in * all areas is 9.7. In contrast, 1 state grade equivalent averages on the same tests i were 9.0 in reading, 9.0 in ] mathematics, 1.3 in language, and 9.0 on the total teat. While educators urge employing caution when looking at grade equivalencies, the results show Perquimans ninth graders scored at the seventh grade level in all areas while students in the state and nation scored ninth grade level in all areas. Perquimans also bad the lowest ninth grade performance in seven Albemarle area counties. Some other ninth graders in the Albemarle also fell below the state and na tional averages, but overall they were at eighth and ninth grade levels. Only one other county showed a seventh grade performance level for ninth graders and that was in the area of language only. i Interpreted in percentile ; terms, the average student in ninth grade in Per- i quimans scored higher ] than 30 percent of the ninth , graders in the nation in ] reading, higher than 25 percent in mathematics, : higher than 30 percent in I language, and higher than . 27 percent on the total test. ] Again, 50 percent is con- i sidered average. i Concerning the low per- i formance of .Perquimans i ninth graders, Superinten- ] dent Harrell said several i factors might cause such I results and said local i educators are aware of the \ problem and the need for i improvement. He said, "I i think the problem is not a i ninth grade problem total ly. I think the problem ] begins much lower than ! that." He explained that i middle years for students, i a transition period from ! elementary grades to the I high school setting, have I traditionally been frus- ; trating and a problem area. He cited a change in i teaching methods at the : higher grades as one area , which differs in comparing i education at the lower ana \ higher grades. Harrell : added, "In all honesty, j there haven't been a lot of j programs throughout the ! country that have been very successful with that middle group." In addition to grade equivalent and percentile rank comparisons, the Perquimans County scores also show comparisons in stanine terms. Superinten dent Harrell said, "We look at that (stanine) as a means of determining how well students performed." The Perquimans County School System was the only one in the Albemarle to provide these stanine comparisons. This infor mation compares students in Perquimans County to those throughout North Carolina. The key for stanine com parisons is: students scor ing in stanines 1, 2, and 3 are . considered below average; stanines 4 5, and 6, average; and stonines 7, 8 and 9, above average. Looking at the Per quimans County test in formation in general shows all students in all grades performed at least at the average level since no stanine comparison falls below the fourth stanine. And first grade students in Perquimans County hit a seventh stanine in mathematics meaning above average while the state stanine figure is six. First graders in Per quimans County also did t>etter in reading than the state figures show since they fell in the sixth stanine, and statewide students fell in the fifth stanine. In other stanine com parisons, third grade students in Perquimans ranked in the fifth stanine , in all areas tested. Students across the state in the same grade also fell in the fifth stanine in all areas. But, Peruqimans sixth , graders were in the fourth stanine, still considered average, for reading, math, language and total test, while students in the state were in the fifth stanine in all these areas, also considered average. Sixth graders in Per quintans County were in the sixth stanine in spelling while sixth graders in the state performed at the fifth stanine level Perquimans ninth grad ers also scored in the fourth stanine in the areas of reading, math, lan guage, and total test while ninth graders in the state were in the fifth stanine in all these areas. Ninth graders in Perquimans equaled the state with a fifth stanine in spelling. Again, stanine scores of 4, 5 and 6 are considered average. Throughout the Thurs day press conference where the Perquimans scores and those of students in the Albemarle were released, educators stressed the fact that the annual testing results pro vide valuable information. Results from the tests will be used to identify stu dents' learning strengths and weaknesses, to im prove students' academic performances, to inform parents and the general public of the progress of their children and the educational programs, and to plan and improve educa tional programs. Educators also pointed jut that these figures represent the first results from the state's annual testing program. And, as Perquimans Superinten ient Harrell put it, "This is i baseline. This is a point )f departure." RETURN FROM ALA. Mr. and Mrs. J.W.Dillon tiave returned home from Florida. While there, they irisited relatives and Eriends, and various points 9f interest. PERK UP Add some excitement to a roast or a meat stew by cooking with an onion that has been stuck with three whole cloves. DONATES PAINTING TO TOWN - Hertford Mayor Bill Cox is shown accepting a painting depicting the Hert ford causeway and its famous turtles from artist, Mrs. Lillian Elliott. (Staff photo by Paige Eure) Former resident gives original painting Mrs. Lillian Elliott, a resident of Cape Colony Rest Haven in Edenton, and a former resident of Dobbs Street, Hertford, recently presented a paint ing depicting a causeway scene to the Town of Hertford. The painting was done in June of 1965 by Mrs. Elliott and won third prize in an Elizabeth City Art Show. At that same show, Mrs. Mary Brinn, also of Hert ford, won second place. Mrs. Elliott later sat in on an art class that Mrs. Brinn was teaching at the time at Hertford Grammar School. She liked what she saw, started painting, and was encouraged in her ef forts by Dr. Brinn, the art instructor's husband. Mrs. Elliott first moved to Hertford in 1920 as a bride and found the area to readily lend itself to can vas inspiration. She has sold several of her paintings. The painting was "gratefully accepted" at the Monday night meeting of the Hertford Town Coun cil, and Mayor Bill Cox ex pressed the town's ap preciation for the gift. It is on dispaly at the Town Office. PORTRAIT OF HERTFORD FAMILY WINS AWARD ? The Virginia Professional Photographers held their annual convention at the Stouffler National Center in Arlington, Va. recently. The highlight of the gathering was print judging. Chandler's Studio of Suffolk, Va. was awarded a red ribbon for their portrait of the Charles Banks family of Rt. 3, Hertford. More than 400 prints were entered in the competition coming from Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Canada. The portrait of the Banks family was made during a day of portrait photography sponsored by the Perquimans County Rescue Squad. Above, Mrs. Banks and her three \ daughters admire the award-winning print.
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Aug. 10, 1978, edition 1
4
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