Students prepare for PACT; one school can't afford poor results

A Luther Vaughan Elementary student learns about the scientific principles of air movement Thursday from educator Jean Fowler. Students attended a "Reach Out of the Box" assembly program to learn more about science concepts prior to next week's PACT tests. Mary Bramlett Elementary is not on the list of schools that face a state review in 2008, but its students will still need to improve their test scores.

Mary Bramlett had a 2.4 absolute rating in English this past school year to meet the state's "expected progress" measure on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT). The school fell short of the state improvement goal in math.

Students in grades 3-8 statewide will take the PACT May 7-16. The challenging testing program requires students to achieve at higher levels than on previous tests. Results are used to grade schools and school districts on the state's report card and determine Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

If Mary Bramlett Elementary does not improve its absolute rating in 2008, principal Audrey McClary said the school could be subjected to state monitoring. State employees would visit the school to provide more recommendations over a 3-year probationary period to help improve the school's report card ratings.

"It was erroneously reported that we were on the lists of schools that face state takeover this year," McClary said. "We made the necessary improvement in English on PACT, but did not make it in math."

Mary Bramlett has a student poverty index of 98 percent.

Poverty level has been a major factor in schools being identified for improvement in the federal Title 1 program, state Education Accountability Act and federal No Child Left Behind law.

Title 1 funds are distributed to schools where at least 50 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunches.

McClary and her teachers are reorganizing the school to better meet student needs.

"We are optimistic our students will do better on PACT," McClary said. "We are making a lot of changes and are very excited about our plans for next year."

Mary Bramlett Elementary will receive more than $400,000 in state and federal funds to implement several new programs that will function as "schools within the school," McClary said.

The programs include multi-age and gender-based classrooms.

The school plans to start a 3-year-old kindergarten program, promote parent literacy and organize its classrooms into learning communities that create a sense of family.

All of these approaches are based on education research on closing the achievement gap for traditionally underachieving students.