The results from a return to standardized testing across Kentucky are being released Tuesday. The head of Fayette County’s public schools says a three-pronged approach will be used to try to raise scores among all students.
Student accountability assessment was put on pause during the first two years of COVID. One of the three steps planned in Lexington to foster higher scores is a district-wide approach to academic instruction. Fayette Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said that ability came when the state legislature allowed control of curriculum and instruction to go through the superintendent and not school councils for the first time in 30 years.
“So whether a student moves to another school or another district or as they transition from middle to high or elementary to middle, they will have consistent instructional practices happening in the classroom,” said Liggins.
Liggins said the other two measures being undertaken are to foster leadership at every level and meaningful partnerships.
The new testing system uses colors to communicate school performance. Fayette County’s scoring average for elementary, middle, and high school is yellow or medium. The Lexington district average is above the state average, also in yellow.
It’s the first time since 2019 that public schools are being rated for school accountability. Demetrus Liggins said it’s difficult to pinpoint a timeline for making up lost ground academically during the first two years of COVID.
“We had families during COVID that were able to provide tutoring. They themselves were capable of tutoring their kids or helping them with their classwork. And we had others where parents were working multiple jobs, unable to do so. We had siblings taking care of younger siblings,” said Liggins.
Liggins said, by peeling back the data, unacceptable achievement disparities are seen involving students of color and those where English is not their primary language. Liggins added generational trauma and poverty don’t absolve the school system from changing that. The school district leader said a bright spot was that students feel safe in schools, cared about, and believe they can be successful.
Editor's Note: This story originally read: "It's the first time since 1999 that schools are being rated for school accountability." It's been corrected to read: "It's the first time since 2019...."
