Schools above average in most testing subjects
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