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When state test scores were released at the end of October, Clark County Public Schools (CCPS) scores yielded middle-of-the-road results.

Superintendent Dustin Howard said in an interview earlier this month that district officials were pleased with the results, especially considering the challenges public education faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My initial impression was that we are making great progress and strides in closing the learning loss gap from the pandemic. There is no way around that. It impacted not just Clark County, but impacted the world,” Howard said.

However, he nows that CCPS can do better in the future.

“We are not content where we are at, but we are excited about the entirety of not only Clark County Public Schools, but all of Clark County, wrapping around our kids to provide a world-class education,” Howard said.

So, how did area schools do?

Well, first, some context: according to information from the Kentucky Department of Education, student assessments have four grades: “novice,” “apprentice,” “proficient,” and “distinguished,” with proficient or higher being the state’s stated goal for each student.

This year, the state introduced new accountability ratings for schools and districts, which are color-coded and range from red (lowest), to orange, to yellow, to green and then to blue (highest). The ratings are comprised of a combination of weighted factors, including test scores, graduation rates and student survey data.

The elementary and middle schools received a yellow rating, which is the third highest rating, and its lone high school received an orange rating, the second lowest.

Cumulatively, the elementary schools received yellow ratings for assessment scores in combined writing, math, science, social studies and reading. They received a red rating for assessment scores for English language proficiency. They received a green rating for the quality of school climate and school safety survey.

Individually, the performances for the elementary schools were varied. Justice and Strode Station elementaries received yellow ratings. Conkwright and Shearer elementaries received orange ratings.

The middle schools received a green rating for all assessments, including the survey.

Individually, Baker Intermediate and Robert D. Campbell both received a yellow rating.

George Rogers Clark High School received an orange rating in math and reading and a yellow rating for combined writing, science and social studies. It received a green rating for the quality of school climate and safety survey and for its graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.

To prepare for what he called “a long race” to improve test scores for next year, Howard said that the district is looking to focus on instruction.

“We will have an intense, laser-focused attention to instruction and core instruction. It will be facilitated through our training with our teaching staff. We will focus on cooperative learning, engagement and making sure that our kids are in school,” he said.

The focus on instruction will start at the top with school leadership.

“We are focusing our principals on being instructional leaders. My job and central office’s job is to support our principals with instructional strategies so they can coach teachers and help teachers provide research-based instruction,” Howard said.

Ultimately, success in the classroom and on state assessments will come down to one thing.

“The best thing I can ever do as a superintendent is have a fantastic teacher in front of a classroom full of kids. That is the biggest difference on whether a kid is meeting grade-level standards,” Howard said.