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2017-2018 Accountability State Test Scores were the hot topic of discussion during the Simpson County School Board Meeting Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Test scores were released from the state Thursday, October 11, 2018. Superintendent Greg Paes recognized and presented a plaque to Dr. Paul Lawrence, principal at Magee Elementary, for having the highest test scores in the district. Magee Elementary improved from a D to a B rating. Magee Elementary was a few points away from a F rating the previous year and improved to 10 points within an A rating. 
Superintendent Paes recognized Simpson Central Principal, Dr. Antionette Woodall, for receiving a B rating. The community is very proud of these schools, their teachers, and all of the hard work and their accomplishments.
Paes addressed the board with his disappointment in the test scores. Paes said he took full responsibility for his administration. But, Paes noted he was not a fan of the grading scale that is used for these test score and explained to the board how the grading system changes year-to-year making the grading hard to understand. Paes advised the board he and Dr. Sanders had visited the Department of Education to determine how Mendenhall went from a B rating the previous year to a D rating this year. Per district office, Mendenhall showed improvement in proficiency but still fell in letter grading. Paes advised the accountability did fall on the schools and administration, but parents are held to some degree of accountability. Paes expressed that parents who are involved with their children through school seemed to have better individual scores. Paes said parental involvement is vital. Parents must show an interest in their children and support the school system. With support from parents and community, the schools will prosper and show improvement. Paes did say the grading system that is in place will not change at this point. The district has a strategic plan supplied by the state to move forward with and find solutions for improvement. The plan is composed of numerous steps each school will have to complete like workshops and reports that will be required to be supplied to school board, etc.
Charts are attached below to show each schools’ growth and overall county results!
