Bladen County Schools Supt. Dr. Robert Taylor acknowledged there is room for improvement following Thursday’s release of the state’s School Performance Grades, but says the report is only one benchmark in measuring success and that Bladen County schools are providing a quality education.
Bladen County schools received five C’s, seven D’s and a F for the 2013-14 school year in the newly mandated report card. Statewide, 132 out of 2,424 schools received A’s, 582 received B’s, 1,003 received C’s, 561 received D’s and 146 received F’s.
“With 40 percent of our schools receiving a letter grade of C, we recognize their commitment and the wholeheartedness they display every day for the education of our students,” Taylor said in a statement. “But, we also realize there is room for improvement in those schools that received a lower grade. Knowing where we have difficulties is the first step in working towards improvement. Our commitment is to rally around those schools and the students in them to improve results. That will take an all-hands-on-deck effort, with parents, teachers, administrators, and local and state governments working together.
“In spite of the letter grades, our schools continue to be places of great dedication, incredible hard work, and inspiring success stories. The information provided on the A-F School Report Cards is a benchmark and only one measure of what student success looks like.”
Bladenboro Primary, Dublin Primary, East Bladen High, Plain View Elementary and West Bladen High had C’s in the report. Booker T. Washington Primary, Bladen Lakes Primary, Clarkton School of Discovery, East Arcadia Elementary, Elizabethtown Middle, Elizabethtown Primary and Tar Heel Middle received D’s. Bladenboro Middle had a F.
The letter grades are based on school achievement and growth, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Eighty percent of a school’s grade is based on the percentage of student tests scores that are at or above grade-level performance, and 20 percent of a school’s grade is based on academic growth, according to the law.
In addition, Bladen Lakes Primary and Dublin Primary exceeded their growth status, while Booker T. Washington Primary, East Arcadia Elementary, Elizabethtown Middle, Elizabethtown Primary, Plain View Primary and Tar Heel Middle met their growth status.
“Regardless of the grade a school receives, Bladen County students do not know less than they did and teachers are not doing a poor job,” Taylor said in the statement. “Far from it. Classroom teachers are working hard, responding to more rigorous standards that will help children become prepared for successful and happy lives.
“One letter grade simply cannot portray the total quality education that our schools are providing. Bladen County Schools’ commitment is to consistently do a better job of providing the academic skills necessary for students to be successful at all levels when they graduate our schools. And, parents should understand that the district is committed to helping all schools succeed,” Taylor said.
Two schools in adjoining rural counties received A’s in the report. They were PSRC Early College in Robeson County and Sampson Early College High School. Two Sampson County schools — Midway High and Plain View Elementary — received B’s.
In Columbus County, there were nine C’s, seven D’s and two F’s. In Robeson County, along with its one A, there were four C’s, 13 D’s, six F’s and an incomplete. In Sampson County, along with its one A and two B’s, there were 14 C’s and ond D.
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