Newspapers / The Warren Record (Warrenton, … / Jan. 18, 1984, edition 1 / Page 3
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** I Low Competency Test Scores Reported In Warren By KAY HORNER Staff Writer The results of the N. C. Competency Test administered to Warren County juniors last fall are in, and the precent age of students who failed is "embarrassing ly" low, Rachael Ricks, assistant superintendent of instruction of Warren County schools, told members of the county Board of Education Monday night. Of the 216 students taking the reading por tion of the test, 18 per cent failed, and of the 218 taking the math por tion, almost 25 percent failed. The scores of Warren County students were among the lowest of the 18 schools in region three, separated only by fractional points from Halifax, Franklin City and Durham City schools on the math por tion and from Halifax County Schools on the reading portion. Mrs. Ricks said statewide, Warren County is at the bottom, "and we're not happy there." However, she caution ed that although the figures were disturbing, they did not mark "the end of the world." "We are concerned that this many failed the test the first time around," she said. "But they will eventually pass the test." Juniors who fail the test initially are given three more opportuni ties to pass the test before graduation. In Warren County last year, only one student failed to graduate because of the com petency test, Mrs. Ricks said. The test is designed to evaluate students' per forma nee on basic skills of reading and math and is targeted to the middle school grade levels of six, seventh, and eighth grades, according to Mrs. Ricks. "Although these are juniors in high school," she commented, "the problem doesn't lie there. They are tested on things they have learned from kindergar ten on. "In meeting with prin cipals and staff, the only reaction has been 'let's get busy.' I've had a very positive reaction. There's been no placing of blame, but we've tried to analyze what we need to do to improve these scores." School board mem bers discussed several factors related to the competency test scores, including the county's drop-out rate. "Our drop-out rate is consistently below the state average," Mrs. Ricks said. "We take pride in that we do keep our students longer." Superintendent of Schools Mike Williams commented that the low drop-out rate could af fect the test scores. "If those who drop out are the least capable, and stay," he said, "then that could explain some of the difficulty." Mrs. Flicks also noted that approximately 45 percent of the failures were from special edu cation classes, whose students will eventually pass the test and gradu ate. Each school system has the option of ex empting special education students from taking the competency test, Mrs. Ricks com mented. But in Warren County, if the student does not take the test, he does not graduate with a diploma. Students can opt to receive only a cer tificate, rather than a diploma, and avoid competency testing. "We are pleased that our special education students do go on to graduate," she said. Mrs. Ricks said the staff and faculties of the schools will be iden tifying "high risk" pupils through the Warren County Survival Skills test, based on the same skills as the com petency test, and ad ministered to seventh and eighth graders in the fall and spring. Effort will be made to insure that these stu dents get help in the areas in which they are not proficient, better preparing them for the competency test. Mrs. Ricks prefaced her presentation to the board with the results of a survey taken of high school juniors by the College Entrance Examination Board that administers the SAT tests. In Warren County, 39.3 percent of the juniors tested indicated that they wanted to con tinue their education and obtain a BS or BA degree, as compared with 38.7 percent in Nor th Carolina and 32.7 per cent in the nation. "When we compare these figures with the scores, we must ask, 'Are we doing the best we can with our boys and girls,"' Mrs. Ricks said. "Are we preparing them for this goal? " The competency test was first given on a trial basis in 1978. At that time, 16 percent of Warren County jilhiors failed the reading por tion and 27 percent failed the math portion. Since that time, scores have been up and down, with a high passing rate of 89 percent in 1979 on the reading portion and 83 percent in 1979 on the math portion. In 1982, 88 percent of the juniors passed the reading portion, as compared with 81.9 per cent last fall, and 75.2 percent passed the math portion as compared with 80 percent In 1982. A further statistical breakdown presented to board • members in dicated that students' skills became progressively weaker as the problems became more abstract. "For a long time, w# assumed that higher thinking skills were caught, not taught,'J Superintendent Wilt liams told the board. "Now we know they must be taught." 30 % Off Entire Stock Betty Darlene's Gift Shop 134 N. Main St., Warrenton Final Closeout Sale To Make Room For Another Use of Building Space Over 80 Effanbee Dolls Only $19.95 Ea. (Reg. $28.50) Glass Brass Toys Games Baby Toys Baby Gift Dried Flower Arrangements Cards Wood Products Novelties Numerous Household Items Copper Everything f^ust Go! Card Of Thanks We would like to thank the Hampton Institute Alumni Association for T-shirts used for the Special Olympics, and gifts for the children at Christmas. We would like to thank the mem bers of the Oxford-Hen derson Alumni Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their check of $100.00. We would like to thank the Warren County Junior Women's club for the The children and staff of the Warren County Child Development Cen ter would like to extend a special thanks to those persons in the com munity and organiza tions who have helped us in the past. films trips and the fun train that was presented to the children. We would like to thank the Warren County High Home Economics Asso ciation for the parties that brought joy to the children at Halloween and Christmas. Thanks to The Carriage House for the delicious meals during the summer months. Thanks to Mrs. Gordo Wilson for her generous donation and to Mrs. George Walton for her thoughtful con tributions. Thanks to Mrs. Ada Johnson for the lovely Easter bas kets and special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fitz and Mrs. Dora Robbins for their love and assistance. The Warren County Child Development Cen ter is progressing with your support and we really appreciate your contributions. We hope you will continue your support in the future. We welcome you to visit us at All Saints Episcopal Church. Sincerely, FONDA W. KIRK, Director LEATHA BROWN MARY RICHARDSON PAMELA CHEEK EDDIE G. HAMM, JR. 257-4264 General Horn* Repair* Interior A Exterior Painting Alt Type Reofa Repaired or Raplaead Storm Windows Installed Siding Applied 312 Church St. Warrenton, N.C.
The Warren Record (Warrenton, N.C.)
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Jan. 18, 1984, edition 1
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