Overall rankings now use a color-coded system. From lowest to highest, that’s red, orange, yellow, green, and blue at the top.
A wide snapshot of all schools in the district shows mixed results: 12 schools in blue, 12 in green, 15 in yellow, 14 in orange, and 3 in red – with elementary schools showing more progress in bouncing back from pandemic lows. All but one of the district’s top 10 schools were elementary schools.
Stubborn achievement gaps remain. Take high school math scores. In that category, 52% of white students scored proficient or distinguished, while 16% of Black students fell into that ranking. Likewise, sizeable gaps persist between economically-advantaged and economically disadvantaged students.
Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said, "Nationally, you will see schools that perform at a higher level and schools that perform at a lower level are mostly based off of family income, that the schools that are performing the highest are schools with families of more means. I resent a comparison of our schools because there are amazing things happening at each of our campuses."
A Herald-Leader analysis of the new data found 38 percent of Fayette schools had at least half of their students testing proficient or distinguished in math. In reading, the news was a bit better, with 47% of schools recording half or more of their students testing in the two higher categories.
Statewide, the 2023 scores show most schools falling in the middle, or yellow, category.
The Kentucky Department of Education says parents can expect the breakdown of their child’s individual scores in the mail soon.
