State education officials defend test data to board

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Some Kentucky board of education members asked Wednesday whether the goals set by the state are high enough to lift up low-performing schools.

Since test scores were released in November, critics have questioned why low-performing schools only have to move up one point next year to be considered improving.

"If you start at 38, you're still a long way from 100," said member Roger Marcum. "Is that a significant enough progress for a school that's low in achieving?"

But Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday chided board members, saying the new assessments evaluate schools on several factors to determine success. That differs from the No Child Left Behind Law, from which the state received a waiver. He also said the one-point goal is reasonable.

Holliday said if half of the schools meet the one-point goal next year and half don't, then "we want to keep one. We won't know until we get that data."

Under the new assessments, schools are classified as distinguished, proficient and needs improvement. The 2012 data showed 899 Kentucky elementary, middle and high schools needed improvement, 260 were proficient and 137 were distinguished.