Schools above average in most testing subjects

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Public Schools scored above the state average in Nebraska State Accountability tests last year, in some cases by nearly 10 points, with a dip seen in fifth and seventh grade math.

Statewide assessments were given in the winter and spring of 2016 with reading in grades 3-8 and 11, mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11 and science in grades 5, 8 and 11.

Forty percent of seventh graders and 25 percent of fifth graders at McCook Public Schools scored below the state average in math last year, according to results posted by the Nebraska Department of Education. Still, students in other grades, including grades six and eight, scored up to 10 percentage points higher in math compared to the state average.

Superintendent Grant Norgaard said they have already implemented changes for seventh and fifth grade math and he felt the district performed well. Compared to the state, scores at the McCook School District looked very good.

"You've got to look at things as a whole and as a district, we did really well," Norgaard said, pointing to consistent growth district-wide in reading scores at 89 percent proficiency. With average math tests scores at MPS higher than the state average in all other grades, the lower scores in the two grades were cause for concern but not necessarily alarm.

"We've got a handle on seventh grade ... for two out of 27 tests and for a one day snapshot, (the scores) aren't bad," he said.

Plus, Nebraska is not an easy state to compete in, he added. "Nebraska has one of the highest rates of ACT scores along with high performing kids," Norgaard said.

READING

Grade 3, 82 students

Average state score: 120,

McCook Elementary,129

percent below standards: state,16, McCook Elementary, none

meets standards: state, 51,

McCook Elementary, 52

exceeds standards: state, 33,

McCook, 44

Grade 4, 96 students

Average state score: 123,

Central, 136

Percent below standards: state, 15, Central, 8;

Meets standards: state, 46,

Central, 42.

exceeds standards: state, 40,

Central, 50

Grade 5, 108 students

Average state score: 129

Central, 136

percent below standards: state,15, Central, 13

meets standards: state, 39,

Central, 31

exceeds standards: state, 46,

Central, 56

Grade 6 , 101 students

Average state score:125,

MJH,136

Percent below standards: state,18,

MJH, 7

meets standards: state, 42,

MJH,43

exceeds standards: state, 41,

MJH, 50

Grade 7 97 students

average state score: 129,

MJH, 137

below standards: state,15,

MJH, 9

meets state standards: state, 38, MJH, 34

exceeds standards: state, 47,

MJH, 57

Grade 8 92 students

average state score:119,

MJH,123

below standard: state,19

MJH. 11

meets standards: state, 48

MJH, 61

exceeds standards: state, 34

MJH, 28

Grade 11 120 students

average state score: 110,

MHS,117

below standards: state, 29,

MHS, 23

meets standards: state, 44,

MHS, 45

exceeds standards: state, 28,

MHS, 33

MATH

Grade 3 82 students

average state score: 115,

McCook Elementary, 132

Percent below standards: state, 22, McCook, 10

meet standards: state, 51,

McCook, 44

exceeds standards: state, 28,

McCook, 46

Grade 4 97 students

average score: state, 112

Central, 119

below standards: state, 22,

Central, 18

meets standards, state, 54,

Central, 54

exceeds standards, state, 24,

Central, 29

Grade 5 108 students

average state score: 112,

Central, 108

below standards: state, 23,

Central, 25

meets standards: state, 52,

Central, 57

exceeds standards: state, 25,

Central, 18

Grade 6, 102 students

average state score: 111,

MJH, 118

below standards: state, 27,

MJH, 17

meets standards: state, 46,

MJH, 54

exceeds standards: state, 27,

MJH. 29

Grade 7, 97 students

average state score: 108,

MJH, 101

percent below standards: state, 29, MJH, 40

meets standards, state, 47,

MJH, 42

exceeds standards: state, 24,

MJH, 18

Grade 8 92 students

average state score: 105, MJH, 118

percent below standards: state, 32 MJH, 11

meets standards: state, 47,

MJH, 62

exceeds standards: state 21,

MJH. 27

Grade 11 120 students

average state score: 104,

MHS, 113

percent below standards: state, 38 MHS, 28

meets standards: state, 36

MHS, 43

exceeds standards: state, 26,

MHS, 28

SCIENCE

Grade 5 108 students

average state score: 105,

Central, 121

percentage below standards: state, 26,

Central,16

meets standards: state, 54,

Central, 50

exceeds standards: state, 20,

Central, 34

Grade 8 92 students

average state score: state,

104, MJH, 117

below standards: state, 32,

MJH, 13

meets standards: state, 48,

MJH, 58

exceeds standards, state, 20,

MJH, 29

Grade 11 120 students

average state score: 103,

MHS, 114

below state standards: state, 26, MHS, 14

meets standards: state, 61,

MHS, 67

exceeds standards: state,13, MHS,19

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