The state’s preliminary AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) reports were released Wednesday and they show that all schools in both Clinton City and Sampson County performed well. Although some schools did not meet AYP expectations, with the exception of Union High School, those that that did not hit target goals only missed making 100 percent proficiency by a few points.

In Sampson County, 12 of 18 schools met AYP expectations; in Clinton City four of the five schools in the city system met AYP expectations.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures the yearly progress of different groups of students at the school, district, and state levels against yearly targets in reading/language arts and mathematics. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires local school districts make preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results available to parents and their communities.

Both school systems shined in the preliminary EOG (End of Grade) and EOC (End of Course) testing.

Sampson County

Schools

Although six of the schools in the system missed making AYP goals, the number is up from last year’s results, where just 10 of the 18 schools in the system made expectations. In the 2007-08 school year, just three of the 17 schools in the system met expected growth.

Union High, Union Intermediate, Roseboro-Salemburg MIddle, Midway Middle, Lakewood High and Hobbton Elementary did not meet AYP expectations, however, five of the six schools missed the target goal by two or less points. Only Union High met less, with 9 of the 13 target goals in the plus column.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” said superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker. “We continue to improve, and we are moving in the right direction.”

The biggest news from Sampson County Schools was their “outstanding” preliminary EOG and EOC testing, which showed for the first time in years that every single school in the system experienced growth ,and more importantly, the numbers jumped, especially in the high schools.

Countywide, Sampson County high schools went from a 67.2 percent proficiency during the 2008-09 school year to 79.7 percent in 2009-10, a 12.5 percent jump.

In the elementary results, every school met expected expectations in reading and eight of the nine schools met high expectations.

In the middle grades, each school met expected or high growth — the standout being eighth-grade Algebra I where students from every school tested at 100 percent. In science, Union Middle School showed a whopping 23.94 point growth in test scores; Roseboro-Salemburg Middle School was right behind with a 15.65 point increase.

At the high school level, the EOC testing showed that countywide, the system finished at an impressive 79.7 percent proficient, up from 67.2 percent in the 2008-09 school year.

“When you put all of this together, what is impressive is that, in every testing area, we met growth in every subject,” said Lenker. “One hundred percent of the subject areas from third grade through the EOCs has seen growth, and that is something we are really proud of.”

Board member G.H. Wilson echosed those sentiments.

“As a board member, I can remember when the scores weren’t as good as this. I think the teachers and staff need to be commended for an outstanding job,” said Wilson. “There have been a lot of great things happening here. I can remember several years ago when schools were making 50-51 percent and that wasn’t cutting it. To have schools now at 80-85 percent, it is just great.”

Clinton City Schools

The five schools in the Clinton City School system have also made significant progress this past year, according to Nancy Dillman, director of curriculum and instruction for the city system.

Butler Avenue, Sampson Middle and Sunset Avenue Schools were all 100 percent and met all 25 target goals. Clinton High School was the only school that did not make Adequate Yearly Progress, however, the school did meet 15 of 17 target goals (88.2 percent). In 2009, Clinton made all of its target goals, while Sunset Avenue missed, making just 22 of 25 goals set by the state.

Like Sampson County, Clinton City Schools showed growth in reading and math subjects in the EOG and EOC tests, with every school in the system showing signs of growth.

Butler Avenue went from being 75 percent proficient to 84.42 percent this year; Sunset Avenue went from a 64.76 last year to a 72.61 this year, meeting high growth; Sampson Middle went from being 66.49 percent proficient to a 74.46, also meeting high expectations. Clinton High went from a 67.80 last year to a 71.92 percent this year, meeting expectations.

“As the data indicates, Clinton City Schools has made significant progress in student achievement this past year,” said Dillman, who was also the interim superintendent during the testing this past year. “We are excited about our gains while realizing there is more work to be done as the bar will be raised next school year with the new N.C. Proficiency Targets for Reading and Math.”

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