High school end-of-course results rise significantly over last four years
June 19, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Bert L’Homme, Associate Superintendent Instructional Services, 560-3716
DURHAM--High school students in Durham Public Schools posted increases in eight of 10 end-of-course tests for the 2001-02 school year, compared with high school students over the last four years.
The highest four-year gains were made in both math and science, with a 13.7 percentage-point increase among students performing at or above proficient levels in Algebra 1; a 14.1-point jump in Algebra 2; and a 14.7 percentage-point spike in Biology. History and Civics course results decreased slightly.
Some highlights of the 2001-02 results include:
More than double the number of students at Jordan High School, and nearly double those at Riverside, performing at or above proficiency levels in Algebra I over the 1998-99 school year;
Well more than double the proficiency rate of Algebra 2 students at Southern High School compared with 1998-99; and,
The school system’s highest one-year increase in Physics, with nearly 80 percent of students at or above the proficiency level.
"These gains are indicative of the long-term, focused attention among our high school students, teachers, principals, parents and community around continually increased student achievement," said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. "Durham Public Schools remains firmly committed to providing the appropriate support necessary for students to achieve at the highest levels."
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Attachment: End-of-Course Proficiency Rates for Durham Public Schools, 1998-99 through 2001-02
