Beaufort County students improved their scores slightly on end-of-year tests in math and English in 2009, but still lagged behind state averages. The state Department of Education released test scores in December showing students in the county nudged their scores up 2 percentage points in English, improved by 1 percentage point in algebra and almost 2 percentage points in physical sciences.
The county still fared below the state averages in the categories. In algebra, the average statewide score was 79.1 percent compared to the 77.4 percent in Beaufort County schools. The state average score in English was 75.5, while Beaufort County scores came in at 72.8, and the state average in science was 72.5, again higher than the Beaufort County average score of 69.2.
The tests are administered to all public school students in middle and high school.
Hilton Head Island Middle School scored the highest in the county in algebra with an average score of 97.9. Beaufort High School students fared the best in English with an average score of 74.7, and Hilton Head Island High School had the highest physical science average scores, with 73.2.
Standardized end-of-year testing began in the 2003-2004 school year with algebra. English and physical science were added the next year, and a fourth exam on U.S. history and the Constitution was added last year. Results count for 20 percent of each student’s final grades in these courses.
Comments
Why blame a sixth grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out.
The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another sixteen formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting.
Project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a class room.
Alan Cook
info@thenumbery ard.com
www.thenumberyard.com