Downstate schools score big on state tests

Downstate high schools showed strong academic gains in the latest round of state testing; results were released July 19.

Based on results of traditional high schools – schools that accept all students within a feeder group and do not require a minimum grade point average or application process – Indian River, Cape Henlopen and Delmar high schools all earned top marks in tested subjects.

"That's good for our downstate schools to represent like that," said Will Revels, assistant principal for Indian River High School. "Our expectations are always high for students and staff, and I think those expectations make all the difference."

In a review of school test scores released by the Department of Education, Indian River High School placed first or second for average median test scores of ninth- and 10th-graders tested in reading, math and science. Cape Henlopen High School placed third in the reading categories, tied with Appoquinimink for second in ninth-grade math and was fourth for 10th-grade math. Delmar sophomores placed highest in science and third in 10th-grade math.

Beacon Middle School performed well in all categories including a social studies test given to seventh-graders. Beacon scored top marks in seventh-grade math, and placed in the top four among state middle schools for the remaining grade categories.

Solid performances by both Cape Henlopen High School and Beacon Middle School were needed to take them off an academic watch placed on them two years ago for poor test performance. Although the state will determine whether to remove those schools from academic watch in a future annual yearly progress report, Cape Superintendent Robert Fulton is optimistic.

"We have the data that shows we're moving in the right direction," Fulton said. "It's nice to see the amount of growth and the distance we've created between us and the state average."

In some categories, he said, the district performed 16 or more points above the state average.

Cape school board member Roni Posner ran for school board two years ago to promote academic achievement. She said she was thrilled to hear the positive results.

"Our focus has to be on academic achievement," she said. "That's where we're excelling and where our focus is, and that's where it needs to be."

Cape school board President Andy Lewis had not seen Cape's test scores and declined to comment on the Gazette's preliminary findings.

Posner said she views the success of other downstate schools on the state tests as encouraging for the area.

"We want to congratulate them because it's important to be competing with good schools and be in an area where there are good schools," she said. "We're looking for top-quality service providers here, and what are they looking for? They're looking for top-quality schools for their kids."

Learning Focus Strategies

Educators at Indian River, Cape and Delmar school districts credited Learning Focused Strategies for their success on state tests. The LFS program provides a guide for a school with a focus on teaching students to think critically, said Revels.

"If kids can think critically, then they are able to solve more real-world problems," he said.

Indian River School District Superintendent Susan Bunting said the district has used LFS for about a decade. The program stresses making sure students understand a lesson before teachers move on to a new unit.

"We no longer wait until the end of the unit to see if the kids learned what they needed to learn," she said. "We can't wait to the end of a unit to find out if the students are getting it or not getting it."

Consistent leadership and principals who look for interactive teaching in the classroom are also key to Indian River's success, Bunting said.

"We want them in the classroom observing and assuring that what we've been learning to do to move student achievement forward is actually happening in the classroom."

Delmar Principal Shawn Larrimore said LFS coupled with hiring highly qualified teachers led to Delmar's gains in science and math.

"We have a great staff," he said. "There's been a shift to more student interaction."

State scores up

The Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System is in the second year of its computerized version; overall, students statewide recorded improvements over last year's results, said Michael W. Stetter, director of accountability resources workgroup for Delaware Department of Education.

"Everyone showed larger gains that were encouraging in math and reading," he said.

The percentage of students obtaining proficient scores in math and reading increased from the low 60s to low 70s, while the percentage of students gaining advanced scores rose about 6 percent for both math and reading.

The bulk of the DCAS report addresses the achievement gap between ethnicities, special education students and English language learners. Gains by these students were particularly encouraging, Stetter said.

"Everyone's improving, and the students most at risk are making the big gains," he said.