11-14-12 —

Wayne Co. Schools ranked among highest in state for growth incollege and career readiness

        The Wayne County School District has been recognized as the most  improved county school district in the state for growth in their  College and Career Readiness (known as CCR) score, in the aftermath  of the release of Kentucky's new Unbridled Learning testing system  results.

    News of the Wayne County School District making such a huge leap in  such a meaningful component of the new assessment came from a recent  blog from Kentucky Commis-sioner of Education Dr. Terry Holliday. Dr. Holliday congratulated Kentucky's top ten districts for CCR  

percentages, as well as the top ten districts for growth in CCR  

percentages.

    Making the top ten lists for growth in CCR percentages is quite an  honor considering there are 174 school districts in the state who  would like to be improving at that rate. While Wayne County showed  the highest point increase as a county school district, they tied for  second place in the state among county and independent school  districts with a 33.7 point increase. Eminence Independent topped the  growth list statewide with a 34.7 point increase, while Wayne County  was tied with Augusta Independent at a 33.7 point increase for second  

place.

    "We knew we were moving in the right direction from the data we  received regarding CCR, but we did not realize we were statewide  leaders in growth until the state department of education published  the top ten lists," said Wayne County Superintendent John Dalton. "We  were delighted to see our students and staff recognized at the state  level  for their hard work."

    Wayne County High School really embraced CCR initiatives earning  them a 68.5 percent, showing how focused they are on each student's  success, making sure they leave Wayne County Schools with college/career skills. In fact, Wayne County barely missed being listed in  the state's top ten district list for CCR Percentages, as well.  

Beechwood Independent was the number one school in the state with an  88.8 percent ranking in CCR, with Hancock County and Pikeville  Independent tied for tenth place at 68.8 percent. More than 47  

percent of graduates met the CCR benchmarks across the state.

    Wayne County High School Principal Brian Dishman was extremely proud  of his students and staff. "Being college/career ready is of great  value to a high school graduate as they move on to the next phase of  life. I'm glad we were able to help so many of our graduates earn  this designation."

    "Our senior Math and English teachers worked very hard to help many  

of our students pass college placement tests in their subject area.  

Our in-house career and technical education programs also deserve a  

great deal of credit, as do the programs at the Wayne County Area  

Technology Center," noted Dishman.

    Dishman explained that there are many pathways to CCR. To be college  ready, a student must meet the ACT benchmarks for English, math, and  reading. Students can also earn this designation by achieving  

equivalent scores on a college placement test such as COMPASS or  KYOTE in the same three subject areas. Being college ready is  important because it means that a student can bypass developmental  coursework in English and math when they enroll in college.

    From a statewide perspective, between 2010 and 2012, over 5,400 more  students graduated ready to enter credit-bearing courses at any  postsecondary program or enter careers that pay a living wage. That  represented a huge savings for students and families of over $5  

million that they will not have to pay for remediation and  

developmental courses that do not give college credit.

    To be career ready, a student can earn a passing score on one of the  many Kentucky Occupational Skills Standards (KOSSA) assessments which  are taken at the end of a three course sequence in a career and  technical education program. Students can also test for a number of  different industry certifications (like ASE, NIMS, NCCER). Once a  student has earned a KOSSA or industry certificate they must also  earn a qualifying score on either the WorkKeys or ASVAB test.

    "The career ready designation is a resume builder for students who  plan to go directly into the workforce after graduation. Successfully  completing the career ready requirement is evidence that the student  has the job skills that employers are looking for," said Dishman.

    "I expect our CCR to continue to improve. Our vision is that every  graduate of Wayne County High School be college/career and life  ready," Dishman concluded.