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ABC report shows growth in local school systems
by Doug Clark
Assistant Editor
Stuart Blount
Stuart Blount
slideshow
Dr. Ethan Lenker
Dr. Ethan Lenker
slideshow

Sampson’s two local school systems faired well during the 2011-12 school year, according to the results of the recently released ABCs of Education report.

The state Board of Education released the annual ABCs of Public Education report Thursday for the 15th and final time. It shows how students performed on end-of-the-year and end-of-course tests in grades 3 through 12.

In Clinton City Schools, four of the five schools in the system — Butler Avenue, L.C. Kerr, Sampson Middle and Sunset Avenue — met expectations. Clinton High was the only school not to. None of the five schools met high expectations.

“I thought we faired fairly well,” said Clinton City Schools superintendent Stuart Blount. “We had 57 targets that we needed and we obtained or met 56 of the 57 for 98.2 percent.”

Blount noted that although Clinton High did not meet expected performance expectations, the graduation rate at the school was 81.9 percent.

“That is a good number,” he said.

Blount also noted that every school in the system, with the exception of Sampson Middle, met annual measurable objectives (AMO’s).

In Sampson County Schools, 14 of the 17 schools met expected growth. Clement Elementary, Hobbton High, Union Elementary and Union Intermediate failed to meet growth expectations during the last school year.

Roseboro Elementary, Hargrove Elementary, Lakewood High, Midway Elementary, Midway Middle, Plain View Elementary, Roseboro-Salemburg Elementary and Salemburg Elementary all met high growth.

Sampson Early College High School also met expected and high growth over the past school year.

“We were above the state average,” said Sampson County Schools superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker. “Our overall goals were all met and our graduation rates are up, too, which is great.”

Lenker said the numbers show the system continues to head in the right direction.

“It (the numbers) proves that the work we have done over the last several years is paying off,” he assured. “Our leaders are taking our students in the right direction. Three fourths of our schools have shown growth and that shows that all the right pieces are in the right places; we are firing on all cylinders.”

Only 11 of Sampson County’s 17 schools met annual measurable objectives (AMO’s) targets. Roseboro Elementary, Hobbton Middle, Hobbton High, Lakewood High, Union Middle, Salemburg Elementary and Union Intermediate did not meet AMO targets.

At a press conference Thursday, Gov. Beverly Perdue and state school leaders highlighted results showing high school graduation rates that, for the first time, topped 80 percent, up from 70 percent five years ago. However, statewide, less than half of the approximately 2,500 public schools met learning objectives in reading and math.

During the upcoming school year, the ABCs of Public Education is being replaced by a new accountability model, online testing, and school ratings based on skills students need for college or work. Also starting next year, schools will be graded like students on an A to F scale.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.

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