Passing percentages for Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests went up in the Columbia County school system after some pupils took the exams for the second time this summer.
Columbia County school officials said they were pleased with the results, which were released by the school system at Tuesday's school board meeting.
"Based on what we did, and the short time we did it in, these are pretty good results," said board member Wayne Bridges, referring to the 15-day CRCT remediation classes that were taught for some pupils who failed CRCTs this spring.
According to the figures, 87 percent of eighth-graders passed the math CRCT and 97 percent passed the reading CRCT overall. Fifth-grade results indicated 91 percent and 98 percent, respectively, passed the math and reading CRCTs, and 97 percent of third-graders passed the reading CRCT.
The reading and math retests were given in June at the end of the summer remediation session.
The eighth-grade math CRCT, which was administered under more rigorous state standards for the first time this year, was the most troublesome area for pupils.
In the spring, 467 eighth-graders failed the test, and 193 of 439 eighth-graders did not pass the test on the second try.
Third-graders must pass the reading CRCT to be promoted automatically to the next grade. Fifth- and eighth-graders must pass the reading and math portions of the CRCT for automatic advancement.
Superintendent Charles Nagle said pupils who failed the retest can request a placement meeting to appeal for promotion.
He said schools are notifying parents by telephone and by letter to set up the meetings.
The meetings would include parents, the school principal and the child's classroom teacher.
He said all three parties must agree on the decision, which will be based on a pupil's overall performance during the school year, to promote the child.
"If these students are close, if they passed their regular course work and did well in other areas, why should we hold them back?" Mr. Nagle said.
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
RETEST RESULTS
Some Columbia County pupils who failed the math or reading portions of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests this spring retook the tests after a 15-day remediation session this summer. Of the 916 pupils who retook the tests, 499 passed the second time.
THIRD GRADE
| SCHOOL | READING RETESTS | NUMBER PASSING |
| Bel Air | 5 | 3 |
| Blue Ridge | 3 | 1 |
| Brookwood | 1 | 0 |
| Cedar Ridge | 6 | 0 |
| Euchee Creek | 3 | 1 |
| Evans | 3 | 1 |
| Greenbrier | 0 | 0 |
| Grovetown | 2 | 1 |
| Lewiston | 8 | 3 |
| Martinez | 2 | 1 |
| North Columbia | 3 | 2 |
| North Harlem | 11 | 3 |
| River Ridge | 2 | 1 |
| Riverside | 5 | 3 |
| South Columbia | 3 | 1 |
| Stevens Creek | 3 | 2 |
| Westmont | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 62 | 24 |
FIFTH GRADE
| SCHOOL | READING RETESTS | NUMBER PASSING | MATH RETESTS | NUMBER PASSING |
| Bel Air | 5 | 3 | 22 | 13 |
| Blue Ridge | 5 | 3 | 10 | 5 |
| Brookwood | 4 | 3 | 13 | 8 |
| Cedar Ridge | 8 | 6 | 24 | 12 |
| Euchee Creek | 5 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Evans | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Greenbrier | 5 | 3 | 21 | 17 |
| Grovetown | 6 | 4 | 13 | 4 |
| Lewiston | 6 | 3 | 14 | 9 |
| Martinez | 5 | 3 | 11 | 4 |
| North Columbia | 3 | 1 | 11 | 9 |
| North Harlem | 6 | 2 | 26 | 10 |
| River Ridge | 5 | 4 | 20 | 11 |
| Riverside | 6 | 4 | 11 | 6 |
| South Columbia | 6 | 3 | 23 | 11 |
| Stevens Creek | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 |
| Westmont | 2 | 1 | 19 | 12 |
| Total | 81 | 49 | 262 | 146 |
EIGHTH GRADE
| SCHOOL | READING RETESTS | NUMBER PASSING | MATH RETESTS | NUMBER PASSING |
| Columbia | 16 | 10 | 63 | 39 |
| Evans | 8 | 3 | 99 | 57 |
| Greenbrier | 13 | 5 | 55 | 29 |
| Grovetown | 18 | 9 | 75 | 32 |
| Harlem | 2 | 2 | 41 | 22 |
| Lakeside | 10 | 2 | 64 | 34 |
| Riverside | 5 | 2 | 42 | 33 |
| Total | 72 | 33 | 439 | 246 |
Source: Columbia County Board of Education
OVERALL RESULTS
At least 87 percent or better of Columbia County pupils overall passed some portions of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests after retests were administered this summer.
GRADE..........TEST..........PASSED *3..........Reading..........97%
5..........Reading..........98%
5..........Math..........91%
8..........Reading..........97%
8..........Math..........87%
* These percentages include both those who retook the test and those who passed on the first try.
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