Marietta Elementary School’s 2022-23 state report card, on which the overall score was 72 percent, a solid B, showed considerable growth over the 2020 report card, which was 61 percent. Even better, at 72 percent, the elementary was solidly above the state average of 53 percent.
The report card’s overall score is divided into several categories, among them Academic Achievement, on which the school received a 65 percent (B), compared to the state average of 47 percent. Academic Achievement shows the percentage of points earned by students meeting or exceeding their state-level target based on their prior performance on state tests.
“We are using several strategies to help those students who are performing below level,” said Principal Dana McMillin. “For reading, we use a remediation of skills not mastered that groups students based on their needs and provides them with instruction for remediation or enrichment.”
The next category, Academic Growth shows the average amount of progress students made on English and Math assessments over consecutive years. Marietta students scored an 85 percent (B), well above the state average of 57 percent.
“This is an important indicator because it shows we are working hard to meet students where they are and helping them to improve and grow in their academic success,” McMillin added.
The third category, English Language Learners Proficiency Progress shows the percentage of English learners on track to exit their language acquisition program on time. Marietta’s score for ELL was 61 percent (B), almost double the state average of 31 percent. Marietta’s 2020 score was also 31 percent, so this is an area where the school has made great gains.
The last category, Chronic Absenteeism, shows the percentage of students with good attendance. Marietta’s score in this category was 85 percent (C), while the state average score was 80 percent.
“Attendance seems to be our biggest concern,” explained McMillin. “Excessive absences is hurting our state report card. If students aren’t at school, we can’t teach and remediate them.”
McMillin said that the school is working to improve attendance. They’ve implemented attendance incentives for both individuals and classes, for one thing, and for another have become more vigilant to communicate with parents when students miss too many days.
While McMillin is proud of the report card scores, she believes there is still work to be done.
“We have improved,” she said, “but we strive to continue to improve for the sake of our students.”
Superintendent Brandi Naylor is grateful for the hard work that McMillin and her staff have done to raise scores in every category and overall.
“We’ve seen that strong leadership from principals, hardworking teachers who care about kids, and committed parents can make a difference in test scores. And while test scores don’t measure everything kids are learning at school, they are a good indicator that we are moving in the right direction,” concluded Naylor.