New test scores: It's mixed
news for Meridian schools

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Aug. 15, 2003
Standardized test scores show that Meridian Public School students have made improvements in reading, language and math but continue to perform below the state average.
School-by-school scores from the Mississippi Curriculum Test assessing reading, language and math skills in second through eighth grades were released today.
Overall, the district's scores improved in all areas except sixth-grade math, seventh-grade reading and language, and eighth-grade math.
In some cases, the amount of improvement exceeded that of the state as a whole.
Every student's MCT score falls into one of four categories: minimal, basic, proficient or advanced. Proficient means a student has successfully mastered the skills in his or her grade level and is ready to go on to the next grade.
Each school's performance level or accreditation level is based partly on the number of students who are at least proficient. School-by-school accreditation levels will be released Sept. 12.
Here's a look at each of the Meridian Public School District's 12 elementary and middle schools. The scores reflect what percentage of students scored at or above the "proficient" level.
Crestwood Elementary
In seven of 12 subject areas, the percentage of second through fifth grade students scoring at the "proficient" level exceeded the statewide percentage.
The areas that were below the proficient level were fourth grade language and math, and fifth grade reading, language and math.
Harris Upper Elementary
In six out of six categories, the percentage of Harris Upper students in fourth and fifth grades scoring at the "proficient" level was lower than the statewide figure.
In fourth grade reading, the percentage of Harris Upper students scoring at the "proficient" level was 16 percent lower than the Meridian Public School District and 20 percent lower than the state.
Oakland Heights Elementary
In five of 12 subject areas, the percentage Oakland Heights students in second through fifth grades scoring at the "proficient" level surpassed the statewide figure.
Fourth-grade students made gains in all categories reading, language and math while third-grade students' levels dropped in all categories.
Parkview Elementary
Parkview students in second through fifth grades scored below the statewide "proficient" level in 12 out of 12 categories.
In second grade reading, Parkview students were 20 percent below the district and 30 percent below the state.
Poplar Springs Elementary
Poplar Springs students in second through fifth grades scored above the state's "proficient" level in 12 out of 12 categories.
In fifth grade reading, students scored 73 percent above the district and 12 percent above the state.
West End Elementary
West End students in second and third grades scored below the state's "proficient" level in six out of six categories.
In second grade language, students scored 33 percent below the district and 45 percent below the state.
West Hills Elementary
West Hills students in second through fifth grades scored below state's "proficient" level in 10 out of 12 categories.
Fourth grade reading scores were 3 percent above the state level. Fifth grade reading scores were 1 percent above the state level.
Witherspoon Elementary
Witherspoon students in second through fifth grades scored below the state's "proficient" level in 12 out of 12 categories.
Third grade reading scores were 69 percent below the district and 49 percent below the state.
Carver Middle School
Sixth and seventh grade students at Carver scored above the state's "proficient" level in one out of six categories. In sixth grade reading, the school and the state "proficient" levels were the same at 74 percent.
In sixth grade language, students scored 32 percent above the district and 15 percent above the state.
Magnolia Middle School
Magnolia students scored above the state's "proficient" level in one out of six categories.
In seventh grade language, students scored 6 percent above the district and 5 percent below the state.
Kate Griffin and Northwest Junior High
At both Kate Griffin and Northwest, students in the eighth grade scored below the state's "proficient" levels in all three categories.
However, at Northwest Junior High, students scored above the Meridian district in all three categories.