Local schools score equivalent of ‘C’ or better on state report cards

Local schools are no strangers to sending out student report cards in order to let parents and students know how they are progressing.

Last week it was the schools getting their report cards as the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released annual data from the 2021-2022 academic year, and schools in Corbin, Whitley County and Williamsburg all scored at least the equivalent of a ‘C’ or better.

Under the current ratings system, schools receive a color-coded rating with blue being the highest rating followed by green, yellow, orange and red, which is the lowest rating.

Corbin Elementary School and Corbin Middle School each received a blue rating while Corbin Primary School and Corbin High School each received a green rating.

Whitley East Elementary School was the only school in the Whitley County School District, which received a blue rating. Oak Grove Elementary School, Whitley Central Primary School and Whitley Central Intermediate School all received green ratings.

Boston, Pleasant View and Whitley North elementary schools, Whitley County Middle School and Whitley County High School all received yellow ratings.

Williamsburg Elementary School, Williamsburg Middle School and Williamsburg High School all received a yellow rating.

This year’s assessment and accountability report cannot be directly compared to previous years due to significant changes in the assessment and accountability systems. Beginning this year, Kentucky’s 2022 School Report Card will feature the state’s new color-coded accountability system, which was previously a 5-star system, according to a Kentucky Department of Education release.

Kentucky administers state tests called the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA), previously called the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP). In spring 2022, the tests were fully administered for the first time. The tests were developed by Kentucky teachers and align with the Kentucky Academic Standards.

“As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our students and our schools as they continue to recover from the interrupted learning that occurred over the past two years,” Education Commissioner and Chief Learner Jason E. Glass said in the release. “These assessment results will serve as the baseline from which we will move forward as we look to new and innovative learning opportunities for all of Kentucky’s students.”

Glass said Kentucky’s results are consistent with what other states are experiencing.

“There will be no quick fix for the challenges our students endured during the pandemic,” he said. “It will take time and resources.”