Corbin Independent Schools named ‘District of Distinction’

The Corbin Independent Schools District is one of 16 out of 173 school districts across the state that earned the title of “District of Distinction.”

The Kentucky Board of Education recognized representatives from each of the district during its meeting last Wednesday in Frankfort.

“It means you scored in the top 5 percent of the state,” said Corbin Schools Superintendent David Cox.

Cox said the measuring sticks are not just the standardized tests that students take each year.

Other items, such as performance on the ACT tests, graduation rate, the number of students who showed significant improvement in state accountability testing and the number of students who reach the benchmarks to be designated “college or career ready,” are taken into consideration.

“We improved across the board,” Cox said when asked if there was any particular area that resulted in Corbin receiving the designation.

Cox said Corbin had an overall index score of 77.9, which was seventh highest in the state.

The cutoff score to be named a district of distinction was 71.9.

“We were also designated as a high progress district because we are in the top ten districts in growth,” Cox said.

This is the second time over the last three years that Corbin has earned this award.

“This is kind of the Super Bowl for us,” Cox said.

As to where the district goes from here, Cox said the award serves as a driving force to continue to improve.

“You keep working at it and really focus on the things that work,” Cox said when asked how the district continues to improve.

“The one thing you don’t do is just stand pat,” he said.