WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — A major announcement on the state of education in Wake County and around the state.
Officials released new numbers on graduation rates and test scores.
The school accountability report shows test scores up in math and reading statewide. The graduation rate has gone up to 87.7% and 71% of schools met or exceeded expectations.
It’s data coming from the Department of Public Instruction and was revealed during a state board of education meeting.
Schools are given an A through F letter grade from the state, and the new data is in for Wake County Schools.
Of the 53% of WCPSS schools that earned A or B ratings, the five-year graduation rate increased to 93.1%, and math and reading scores also improved.
ABC11 stopped by Millbrook High School and spoke with a student who saw some of the highest increases.
Jamar Smith told ABC11 that lately he has been feeling more confident.
Being a 16-year-old basketball star at Millbrook High School, confidence comes with the territory, but this newfound confidence came in math class.
“Once I seen my test scores, I was in shock because I don’t expect to do that good,” he explained of his scores from last school year.
Test scores are something most students dread to see, but Jamar and dozens of other students saw improvements in their math proficiency last year.
New data shows that in Wake County’s high school, Math 3 went up 7.4%, the largest single increase across all subjects.
“We need more resources, which will allow us to recruit and retain, and grow our educators who can then, in turn, do amazing things with our students,” Superintendent Mo Green said.
Millbrook High School saw an 8.6% in proficiency, following only Leesville High School.
“It wasn’t hard. Like with my teacher, Mrs Skipper, she just made it way more easier,” Smith said.
Jamar was a student in Mrs. Skipper’s Math 3 class last year, and over the course of the year, he grew 30 points from his predicted score.
“It’s huge. It’s huge. And he was predicted, along with many other students, not to be proficient, but they grew and got a level three, four, or five, which is proficient,” Skipper said.
So what’s the secret? Maybe no phones in class?
“It definitely has brought the focus back to the class and not spending so much time, you know, on Instagram or Snapchat,” Skipper suggested.
“Holding him accountable, making sure he is keeping up on campus with what his teachers are posting and making sure his assignments are being completed,” Jamar’s mom, Nicole Smith, said.
“Have a good relationship with your teacher, like interact during class. Don’t just sit there being quiet, like not paying attention or your phone or whatever,” Jamar explained.
“We’re very proud of Jamar. He has worked hard every year, and he’s always been an excellent math student. So when he came to Millbrook, taking honors classes, he excelled. But on tests, not as well. So last year we were really proud of him, of the work that he put in, because he recognized that he needed to put in his work,” said Nicole Smith.
Smith also noted that she encourages Jamar to always be his own advocate and to always ask for help when he needs it.
Jamar told ABC11 he thinks everything he has learned in class are things he will carry through the rest of high school and beyond.
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