Ky. May Tie Its Test Scores to Students’ GPAs
Kentucky students may soon get extra credit toward their grade point averages for above-par performance on state tests.
The state board of education is considering a proposal to add up to 0.12 points to a high school senior’s GPA based on scores on the state assessments in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and writing.
Under the plan presented this month by board member Craig True, students would receive an extra 0.024 points for every time they scored at the “distinguished” level; 0.016 for “proficient"; and 0.008 for “apprentice.” Students take a test in each subject once during high school, starting with reading in 9th grade and ending with writing in 12th grade.
The idea of the extra points would be to give students an incentive to perform well on exams that otherwise matter little in their high school careers. The state uses the tests to rate schools and districts, but not to make decisions about high school graduation or promotion to the next grade.
—David J. Hoff
N.C. Gives Ratings Break to Schools Hit by Hurricane
North Carolina’s state school board has granted appeals from three schools that saw drops in their state accountability ratings after being wiped out by Hurricane Floyd last fall.
Marking the first time that the state has approved such requests, the board agreed to raise the schools from the “no recognition” level to “making expected growth/gains.” The original growth levels the state set were not reasonable under the circumstances, said Vanessa Jeter, a spokeswoman for the state education department.
The affected schools are located in the eastern part of the state, which was hit hard in September of last year by the hurricane and the flooding that it caused.
As a result of the change, teachers in the schools will now receive incentive awards of $750 each, and teaching assistants will receive $375 each.
—Michelle Galley
