Data shows steady growth and alignment to state averages, but more work needs to be done to increase student proficiency
LILLINGTON – Today the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released school performance grades for the 2021-2022 school year. While there is work to be done, there are many positives reflected. In the newly released 2021-22 data, Harnett County results align closely with state trends and continue to move on a positive trajectory with increased scores in most areas.
Harnett County celebrates increases in all grade levels, 3-8, in both reading and math and at the Grade Level Proficient (GLP) standard except for a slight decrease in grade 5 reading and English II. Harnett County had increases in all grade levels, 3-8 in Career and College Ready (CCR) standard, except for grade 3 reading, where scores declined across the state.
Overall, district math scores in elementary and middle school grades increased more significantly than reading scores with grades 3, 4, and 5 demonstrating the greatest gains. The Harnett County scores on science exams, given at grades 5 and 8 also showed gains at both the CCR and GLP levels.
In Harnett County, 65.4% of schools met or exceeded growth which is in line with state data of 7 out of 10 schools achieving at least expected growth. In Harnett, 71.4% of elementary schools met or exceeded growth, and 83.3% of middle schools met or exceeded growth.
Overall in the school district, 7 schools exceeded growth, 10 schools met growth, and 9 schools did not meet growth. Schools exceeding growth were Angier Elementary, Buies Creek Elementary, Benhaven Elementary, Coats-Erwin Middle School, Dunn Middle School, Overhills Middle School, and Western Harnett Middle School. Schools that met growth include Boone Trail Elementary, Coats Elementary, Harnett Primary, Erwin Elementary, Harnett Central Middle, Harnett Early College, Johnsonville Elementary, Lillington Shawtown Elementary, LaFayette Elementary, and Triton High School.
Harnett County’s 4-year graduation rate was 85.8% which is slightly below the state average of 86.2%, and the 5-year graduation rate for Harnett County was 88%.
While school performance grades and growth cannot be compared to last year or even prior to the pandemic, Harnett County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Fleming stated, “Harnett County continues to remain competitive with the state in many areas and considers this new data to be a baseline for future growth and proficiency. Our leaders know that there is much work to be done but also recognize the work that schools did last year while still dealing with the COVID pandemic.”
Dr. Fleming also mentioned that “the data will help drive steps forward but also confirms that our schools have worked hard to keep parents and students engaged while at the same time dealing with quarantines and absences.”
