Math remains county weak spot; gains shown in social studies, science

School administrators reviewed Madison County test data at the July 20 school board meeting, repeatedly noting troubles in math, while pointing out plans to address shortcomings.

“Math seems to be our challenge across the board,” said curriculum director Jane Fitzpatrick. “As everyone is aware, the state changed the curriculum several years ago. And we have worked diligently but we’re still working to get where we need to be with that.”

Madison County students exceeded the state average on the CRCT in grades one through four. But test scores in math were below the state average in grades five through eight.

Madison County also showed trouble in math at the high school level, falling behind state averages in math I and II end-of-course exams — by as much as 10 percent behind the state average in the winter testing period.

“We’re struggling in math and we know that,” Madison County High School principal Chad Stone told the school board July 20. “We’re trying to do everything we can to fix that.”

Stone said a new math program will offer assistance to juniors in danger of failing the graduation tests.

“We’ll put four sections of math 3 support targeting around 90 juniors we feel have struggled in math one and two,” said Stone. “It’s to review the standards of math one and math two that are covered on the graduation tests.”

He noted that a math retreat is being held this summer for MCHS math teachers to discuss ways to help students improve.

Madison County Middle School principal Matt Boggs also addressed the BOE, noting that MCMS is working to improve math scores, too.

“We want to bring our children up to par in math,” said Boggs. “It’s the same refrain you’ll hear from the elementary schools and the high school as well. Math is our weak area.”

Boggs said the school started a math program last year to help struggling students.

“It’s a way for them to get online and compete at math,” he said. “It’s amazing if they think it’s a game, they think it’s fun. So math becomes fun. We’ve shown some great improvement.”

Boggs said MCMS showed improved math scores this past year among students with disabilities.

“About eight percent more students with disabilities passed math this year compared to last, which enabled us to make safe harbor and was instrumental in making AYP,” said Boggs.

Superintendent Mitch McGhee noted July 20 that preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results had been released for 2009-2010. All Madison County schools, except the high school, made AYP.

“All elementary schools and the middle school have made AYP,” he said. “The high school is close in a couple of areas; they have some retests coming and some summer graduates to come, so we’re still hopeful we’re hopeful to get there when the final AYP results are announced this fall.”

Stone noted that only 33 percent of Georgia high schools made AYP this year.

“Math is where we’re missing AYP this year,” said Stone.

He also noted that MCHS’s graduation rate improved this past year.

“Our initial graduation rate is 72.6; that’s a 2.3 percent increase,” said Stone. “We’re still below the state average. The state increased one percent and we increased two. We showed a huge increase in our minority subgroup — 57 percent (graduation rate) in 2009, 71 percent in 2010.

Stone noted that the MCHS writing tests were also below the state level.

“We’re going to push writing all year long,” he said.

Although shortcomings were noted on the tests, administrators also pointed out positives.

Boggs said MCMS showed improvement in 11 of 13 subject areas, adding that he’s proud of the social studies teachers, who have helped the school improve by 32 percent on tests since 2008.

Fitzpatrick said Madison County is showing improvement across the board in social studies.

“We’re pleased to know our students know where they’re from and where they’re going, because they are social studies gurus,” said Fitzpatrick. “We did really well in social studies. Our elementary schools are providing a really good foundation for that. Our scores at the high school level have improved there as well.”

Fitzpatrick said science teachers at the high school need to be commended. For instance, MCHS students exceeded the state average by five percentage points in the spring end-of-course tests in biology and by six percent in physical science, with 71 and 78 percent of students passing the tests locally.
“A couple of years ago, everyone when you talked to when you mentioned the high school graduation tests talked about science,” said Fitzpatrick. “Because it seemed like that one was just a bear. And our science teachers have really put their elbows to the wheel and they have done a lot of hard work and it is certainly showing up.”

Assistant superintendent Allen McCannon said Madison County “science and social studies teachers at all grade levels really need a pat on the back.”

McCannon also showed how the school system doesn’t just assess test scores of one grade level versus another group of kids in that same grade level the next. School officials also track each grade from year to year, so they can tell whether the same group of students is showing improvement over time.

“Take your child’s class and look at them over time,” said McCannon, noting that the test data charts will be available on the school system’s website: www.madison.k12.ga.us/