The 2024-25 Kentucky’s Summative Assessments went live late Tuesday night, and officials with Trigg County Schools can highlight several key reasons in which to celebrate and glean from their annually provided progress report.
Tops on this year’s list of good news: Trigg County Middle School earned an overall rating of “green,” or a four-out-of-five, from the state’s Department of Education.
Only a “blue” notation is better, and both Superintendent Dr. Rex Booth and Director of Curriculum and Instruction’s Lacey Schrock lauded the efforts of Principal Amy Breckel and her staff for “staying the course” for this growth.
Specifically:
+ Sixth grade reading went from 41% to 51% in proficient/distinguished, seventh grade went from 40% to 49%, and eighth grade went from 32% to 46%.
+ Sixth and seventh grade math increased to 35% proficient/distinguished, while eighth grade moved from 37% to 53%.
+ Seventh grade science moved from 17% to 29% proficient/distinguished, and eighth grade social studies leapt from 28% to 39%.
Schrock and Booth urged that “engagement” and “rigor” have been critical pushes in the middle grades, especially post-pandemic, and the “effort showed.”
Another continued through line for Trigg County is the high school’s ability and aptitude for post-secondary readiness, which maintained its “blue,” and generally elite, state status.
Students, for the most part, are walking the stage in Cadiz ready for the next chapter — be it the workforce, the classroom or the military.
Something beyond high school.
Several facets of district life maintained their average “yellow” status, including overall looks at the intermediate and high schools, reading and math scores for third through fifth grade, and science/social studies/writing scores for the elementary.
Considerable growth, however, still needs to occur in two major spots: district-wide writing practices, and the general support for unique demographic groups on campus.
Schrock explained how writing methods do need “a little bit of consistency.”
Meanwhile, Booth noted those students with non-specified disabilities and those who require special education need to receive even more anchors of support than what’s currently being provided.
One very unique development over the last five years, per Booth and Schrock, is the acceleration of social media and the use of artificial intelligence.
In the right hand, Booth noted both are tools that need to be taught and used to improve writing and research capabilities.
In the left hand, both have a chance to thwart an individual’s true creativity and voice.
Booth and Schrock, who have more than 35 years of educational experience, also lauded the arrival of former Millbrooke Elementary teacher Lisa Pinson, who has come out of retirement to be a volunteer math coach.
Furthermore, Schrock said district leadership should prepare for an increased emphasis on “Profile of a Graduate” — which further showcases individual student growth and assessment. While the program technically already exists, she said it’s in dire need of a revamp and a refresh, so it can return effectively and back in style.
