SALYERSVILLE – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released the 2023-2024 Kentucky Assessment and Accountability data last week, with each school in the Magoffin County district showing improvements from the previous year.
The KDE classifies schools’ performance levels by color ratings, from highest to lowest: blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
As some background, schools are labeled a certain color based on testing performance of students, as well as school climate and safety ratings (a questionnaire answered by students), as well as by the testing performance compared to the previous year. If, for instance, a school’s test scores remain the same from one year to the next, they would stay in the same color rating, but if the school had performed better this year than last, the improvement is factored into their overall score and could bump them up a color rating. If a school performed very well one year, but saw some decreases in their scores the next, the decrease could negatively impact the school’s color rating.
North Magoffin Elementary
North Magoffin Elementary remained in the yellow category this year, holding steady from the year before. The school showed significant increases in reading and math scores and maintained scores in science, social studies and writing. In the school climate and safety section of the tests, which includes questions about how safe students feel and if they feel bullying is a problem, students overall rated NME in the green category, one down from the highest rating.
Salyersville Grade School
Salyersville Grade School jumped two categories this year, going from orange in 2023 to green in 2024. SGS ranked in the top 20% of elementary schools statewide. They saw significant increases in reading, math, science, social studies and writing scores, and students rated the school’s climate and safety as blue, or at the highest level.
The Grade School thoroughly celebrated reaching “green” on Monday, with a green carpet leading to the main door, green decorations everywhere and green t-shirts for all students and staff that said “SGS #1.”
SGS Principal Gary R. Helton said, “At Salyersville Grade School, we set a goal to be the top school in the district, and we achieved it by jumping two performance levels from Orange to Green, with an Overall Combined Index of 80.4. I’m incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and our teachers’ dedication to helping them succeed. Our staff, parents, and district office provided essential support, from promoting attendance to delivering targeted professional development. It truly took a village to make this happen, and now we’re focused on reaching Blue status next year—our school color!”
South Magoffin Elementary
Also ranking in the top 20% of elementary schools statewide, South Magoffin Elementary maintained their green status from the previous year. Students showed significant increases in science, social studies and writing scores, and an increase in reading and math scores. Students rated SME with the highest possible score, blue, for school climate and safety.
Herald Whitaker Middle School
While in 2023 Herald Whitaker Middle School had dropped to the red category, their hard work over the past year really paid off, with the school jumping to the yellow category in 2024. Students showed significant increases in all subjects, including math, science, social studies and writing scores. HWMS was even able to exit their Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) due to the increase in performance by students with disabilities.
“At the start of the 2023/2024 school year, we knew we had a challenge ahead,” said HWMS Principal Jessica Prater. “Our staff shifted focus to individual student progress rather than just state assessment scores. This approach, involving students, families, and teachers working together on diagnostic goals, paid off. Reflecting on the year, it was truly a great one with two exceptional classes at HWMS. The significant gains on state assessments were the icing on the cake.”
Perhaps to be expected by the age range, HWMS students rated the school climate and safety at an orange range.
Magoffin County High School
Magoffin County High School also showed improvements, progressing from orange to yellow this year. The district saw progress at Magoffin County High School, where gains in reading and math reflect a strong emphasis on targeted interventions and student support. These improvements, alongside increases in graduation rates and post-secondary readiness, underscore the school’s commitment to preparing students for success beyond high school. Although the high school saw declines in science, social studies, and writing scores, efforts are underway to address these areas for continued growth.
Jennifer Howard, Supervisor of Instruction, highlighted the district’s commitment to providing teachers with ongoing professional learning and resources to support student success. “The progress we’re seeing is a direct result of our educators’ commitment to excellence. By utilizing high-quality instructional resources and actively engaging in professional learning opportunities, our teachers have equipped themselves with the tools to support student achievement at every level,” said Howard.
She explained that high school science scores are the district’s biggest weakness, but that is a problem statewide. No students in the state scored distinguished in high school science this year.
District Initiatives Powering Success
Magoffin County Schools has developed a 12-point plan for the district to continue on the upward trajectory they saw in this year’s scores, including focusing on attendance, grants for math and science education reform, early literary focus, “Leader in Me” program, and other interventions, all included at the end of this article.
Looking Ahead
“We’re a district on the move and we’re on the move in the right direction,” Magoffin County Schools Superintendent Chris Meadows told the SI.
While the district is proud of its achievements, Superintendent Meadows stresses that the journey toward educational excellence is ongoing.
“We are committed to ensuring that every student in Magoffin County receives the best education possible. Our focus remains on fostering academic growth, enhancing student outcomes, and building a brighter future for our community,” Meadows said.
School officials tell the SI that the Magoffin County School District’s results in the 2024 accountability data highlight the dedication of its educators and the resilience of its students. With continued support and a clear strategic vision, the district is poised to achieve even greater success in the years to come.
Key Initiatives
Magoffin County School District’s ongoing improvement stems from several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the educational experience for all students:
1. Attendance Campaign: Led by Director of Pupil Personnel Justin Bailey, this campaign, launched in August 2023, emphasizes the importance of regular attendance in boosting student success.
2. Partnership with PIMSER: Thanks to a $91,000 Steele Reese grant, the district continues to partner with PIMSER (Partnership Institute for Mathematics and Science Education Reform) to strengthen mathematical thinking skills in grades 3-8 through monthly training.
3. Early Literacy Focus: Two district schools received a $40,000 RDIF grant to improve foundational reading skills using high-quality instructional resources, including the Magnetic Reading Foundations program. Additionally, ESSER funding was used to provide resources and training for the third elementary school, ensuring all schools in the district had the support needed to strengthen early literacy skills.
4. iReady Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction: The district utilizes iReady to assess standards mastery and provide personalized interventions, ensuring targeted support for students.
5. Reading and Math Interventionists: The district has created two new positions for interventionists, providing small group support for elementary students who need additional help in reading and math.
6. Leader in Me Program: Launched in the district’s elementary schools in August 2024, this program fosters leadership skills in students and promotes a culture of trust and academic success. The program will expand to the middle and high schools in August 2025.
7. Professional Learning for Educators: Teachers across the district have engaged in professional learning on high-quality instructional resources and strategies, including Kagan Structures, to improve student engagement and accountability.
8. Online Registration: The district implemented Infinite Campus annual update to streamline communication with families, ensuring accurate and up-to-date contact information.
9. Kentucky Reading Academies and LETRS Training: Several elementary teachers and school administrators are enrolled in the Kentucky Reading Academies and are completing LETRS training to improve their early literacy teaching strategies.
10. Effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): The district is refining its PLC practices to ensure schools continuously monitor student performance and adjust instructional practices to meet student needs.
11. Empowerment Collaborative: Herald Whitaker Middle School is part of the Empowerment Collaborative, which encourages student ownership of learning through authentic assessments and career-focused mindsets.
12. Expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) Opportunities: The opening of the new Magoffin County Career and Technical Center is creating fresh opportunities for post-secondary readiness. These include a newly introduced carpentry career pathway and hands-on, work-based learning experiences made possible through the Apprenticeships Building America grant.
These initiatives drive the district’s progress and ensure a continued focus on student achievement and success.
