Local students excel on Gateway exams: Over 88 percent pass both
|
“We’re all just grinning from ear to ear,” said principal George Bolding. “Our scores far exceeded my expectations,”
Taken earlier this month by students state wide, the Gateway exams are part of an initiative taken by the General Assembly to raise the academic bar and increase accountability within the state’s schools. Beginning with this year’s freshman class, passing the exams in three key subjects – algebra, biology and English II – is required to graduate with a regular education diploma.
Locally, 469 students took the algebra I exam, with 414, or 88.3 percent, achieving passing scores. Of those who passed, 249, or 60 percent, tested at the advanced level. Testing at the proficient level were 148 students.
Of 428 students taking the biology exam, 413, or 96.5 percent, passed. Of those who passed, 62 percent, or 265 students, scored at the advanced level, while 148 scored at the proficient level.
Dr. Haskell Greer, high school curriculum and instruction principal, attributed the students’ success to several factors – and emphasized the school is fortunate to have such dedicated teachers.
“Our scores reflect the excellent math and science teachers we have,” Greer said. “They are also a credit to the students’ teachers in K-8 who laid the foundations for success in high school.”
Greer noted WCHS also took several specific measures to help ensure the student success. This included creating a calendar-based curriculum map for each of the Gateway courses. These curriculum maps ensure all teachers cover the course’s performance indicators around the same time.
Another measure was the purchase and extensive use of a Gateway-tailored software program, which allowed students to practice for the exams. After-school tutoring was also available.
While needing to pass the Gateway exams to graduate – and the fact exam scores figure into their final grade – may have been motivation for most, Bolding said he also offered a few rewards of his own.
“I wanted to dangle a carrot in front of them, as further motivation. I didn’t realize how much it was going to cost me,” Bolding said.
It will be expensive, he explained, because he promised to give all who passed the exams a pizza party. Additionally, all those who scored at the advanced level will receive their choice of season tickets to either home football or home basketball games. Those making perfect scores, approximately 20 students, will receive a free parking pass and free season passes to all home sporting events next year.
For those students who did not pass the Gateway exams, the school will soon begin remediation. The tests will be given again to these students, until they pass, beginning in July.
Gateway to success
Warren County students posted impressive scores in the recent Gateway exams
Algebra 1 – out of 469 students
Those passing the exam – 88.3%
Advanced level scores – 60%
Biology – out of 428 students
Those passing the exam – 96.5%
Advanced level scores – 62%