Burke test scores show step backward in overall performance

When Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) shared its North Carolina school report card last week, it unveiled a mixed snapshot of rising graduation rates and declining test scores — a picture that reflects a step backward in overall performance since last year.

Graduation rates rose from 88.2% in the 2023-24 school year to 89.2% in the 2024-25 school year. But while 17 schools attained an A, B, or C rating, seven schools landed on the D-list — two more than last year.

Although seven schools improved their grades, 17 saw declines with two schools’ scores dropping by double digits — Drexel Elementary and W.A. Young Elementary.

The report card results culminate from a dualistic set of factors: proficiency accounting for 80% of the score and growth accounting for 20% of the score. Proficiency represents how the students did on the individual tests, while growth reflects their improvement over time.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “While test scores provide one snapshot of progress on a single day, they do not tell the full story of our students. We continue to advocate for a more balanced approach to accountability, with equal weight given to both proficiency and growth, rather than the current 80/20 model.”

In response to the report cards, BCPS leaders appointed curriculum directors to assist schools in navigating the educational landscape with a renewed concentration on support systems and regular check-ins.

Several schools welcomed new principals this academic year, bringing fresh leadership to the helm at the individual institution level. While this invites a change in perspective, it means some educational leaders have to work their way out of a decline as opposed to continuing their predecessors’ momentum.

Furthermore, BCPS plans to strengthen these leadership changes and performance concerns through closer collaboration with low-performing campuses.

Shuffler said there are designated “focus schools” implementing one-on-one meetings between curriculum directors and principals, new and old, to identify particular areas for improvement.

Director of Elementary Education Dr. Brett Wilson stated, “Their visits prioritize reviewing data, supporting [Professional Learning Communities], ensuring small-group instruction is happening, and helping principals identify areas where targeted reteaching can make a difference. The goal is to turn data into action quickly.”

According to the directors, the plans are in-depth but fluctuate in content depending upon the school. The check-ins are conducive to plan adaptation and redirection as necessary.

Director of Secondary Education Desarae Kirkpatrick said, “Some schools benefit from additional support with instructional strategies, some with behavior management, and some with pacing and data processing. We use benchmark assessments to monitor student progress and make decisions about how instruction needs to be adjusted.”

Through coaching and tiered support plans for teachers, focus schools receive flexible — but specifically guided — assistance.

“Schools like Burke Middle College, which continues to earn an A, are part of the conversation too,” Kirkpatrick said. “We learn from their successes and look for ways to replicate those strategies in other schools.”

Directors said principals and other staff look to prioritize growth in a variety of ways such as reteaching, principal engagement, and offering students more than one opportunity to shine.

“Our students are at the center of everything we do,” Wilson said. “Test scores give us data, but they don’t measure creativity, leadership, resilience, or kindness — all the qualities that matter in life. That’s why our initiatives are focused on daily teaching and learning, not just test prep.”

Parents who want to check out their child’s school performance can access current scores and breakdowns by choosing Burke County Schools and their respective institution in the dropdown menu at: https://public.tableau.com/views/SchoolPerformanceGrades-MultipleSchools/SchoolPerformanceGrades-MultipleSchools?:showVizHome=no.