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GREENSBORO — More schools met or exceeded academic growth goals in Guilford County in 2009 than in the previous year, according to a new state report.

The state Department of Public Instruction released its annual ABCs of Public Education report Thursday, and the number of Guilford County schools that met or exceeded academic growth goals climbed from 14 to 17 for 2009.

The ABCs is the state’s accountability system for measuring academic growth at individual schools.

Some report highlights:

* Eighty-nine schools met expected growth goals.

* Of those, 17 schools had between 89-90 percent of students score at or above grade level. They are Brooks Global Studies, Claxton Elementary, Florence Elementary, Greensboro College Middle College, The Middle College at GTCC Greensboro, The Academy at Lincoln, Madison Elementary, Morehead Elementary, Northern Elementary, Northern Elementary, Northern Middle, Northwest High, Pearce Elementary, Shadybrook Elementary, Southwest Elementary, Sternberger Elementary, Stokesdale, Elementary, Triangle Lake Montessori.

* The average number of schools in Guilford County meeting academic growth goals is lower than the state average.

* Ten  schools were awarded the state’s highest designation, Honor School of Excellence. They are Erwin Montessori, Millis Road, Nathanael Greene, Oak Ridge,

Summerfield elementary schools; Brown Summit, Kernodle and Northwest middle schools; and  Early College at Guilford and Weaver Academy. Only one Guilford County school received the distinction in 2008.

Jamestown’s Millis Road Elementary had nearly 91 percent of students testing at or above grade level. Russell Harper, the school’s principal, attributed the success to dedicated teachers and active parents.

Barbara Zwadyk, the school system’s chief curriculum officer, said efforts to keep children up to speed also helped.

“What is in place this year is what was in place last year and that is a very stringent intervention program,” Zwadyk said. She was referring to programs aimed at identifying students who are falling behind.

However, the number of schools judged to be low performing also rose from nine in 2008 to 10 for 2009.

Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said he has made an effort to address failing schools. Green said the principals at two low-performing schools have been replaced.

The principals at Andrews High and Montlieu Math and Science Academy were replaced this summer, and those schools are on the list of low-performing schools. Travis Reeves, principal of the low-performing Eastern High, left the district this summer.

Some, but not all, of the low-performing schools are in Green’s new Enrichment Region, nine schools he selected for improvement.

Changes at the state and federal level also helped test scores. The state accepted the retest scores of students who failed the state exams for the first time last year.

Data shows most students who took the retest made significant gains.

But that option may not last, the state isn’t expected to accept retest scores this year.

Guilford County ranked in the middle of the state’s metropolitan areas, falling  below Wake, Mecklenburg and Gaston counties but above Cumberland, Forsyth and Durham counties in meeting expected academic growth.
 

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com