PCS News Item

Two area high schools were among the 20 best for “turnaround improvement” on end-of-course test scores and one of them finished the 2007-08 year with the best overall composite score among the 54 schools surveyed.

Both Perquimans County High School and Pasquotank County High School made the top 20 on the state’s “turnaround” list, with Perquimans finishing sixth and Pasquotank 20th. Perquimans, which posted an overall 71.9 percent composite on the end-of-course tests, had the highest score among the schools recognized.

Former Gov. Mike Easley started the High School Turnaround Initiative in 2005, when he asked the state Department of Public Instruction to assist low-performing high schools where proficiency on end-of-grade tests fell below 60 percent.

With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 35 schools began receiving assistance from DPI during the 2006-07 school year as part of a three-year cycle. The next year, the program added 31 high schools and 57 middle and elementary schools.

High schools are identified for turnaround based on their performance composite.

This measure describes the percentage of student test scores that are at or above the proficiency level.

All high school students take end-of-course tests in five core subjects: algebra I, English I, biology, U.S. history, civics and economics.

All schools had a performance composite below 60 percent in the 2005-06 school year.

According to DPI data, Perquimans High School’s composite score in 2006-07 was 57.813 percent.

The score had improved to 71.9 percent a year later, giving the school a “turnaround” percentage change of 14.087 — sixth best among the 54 schools surveyed.

Pasquotank High School’s composite score in 2006-07 was 50 percent. A year later it was 59.3 percent — good for 20th best among the 54 turnaround schools showing positive change. Overall, Pasquotank’s composite score was 13th best among the schools surveyed.

North Brunswick High, in Brunswick County, had the best turnaround percentage in 2007-08 of the 54 schools.

Perquimans High School Principal James Bunch attributed his school’s turnaround and top overall composite score to the work of his staff and students.

“To have a score above 70 is an indication that we are definitely headed in the right direction,” he said.

“I think staff and students should get the credit. They had to accept the fact we weren’t doing business as usual.”

Bunch said his school has taken learning to a whole new level by implementing several initiatives.

“We’ve integrated technology, we make more data-driven decisions and we collaborate more as a faculty,” he said. “Those are areas that have helped us tremendously.”

Bunch said Perquimans High School has even higher expectations than being a top “turnaround” school.

Linwood Williams, acting superintendent for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, said Pasquotank High School’s turnaround had been achieved through the hard work of students and staff at Pasquotank High School.

“(Principal Amy) Fyffe and the PCHS staff have worked to improve student engagement by utilizing available resources and continually seeking ways to address the changing needs of students,” he said.

The turnaround program is a three-year initiative, and Pasquotank High is in the second year, Fyffe said.

Area schools 'turning around'

Two schools cited for improvement