Across the state, NC students continue to see improvement in most grades and subjects, according to the 2023-24 state test results presented by the State Board of Education on September 4. Similarly, PSRC students have demonstrated gains in 3-8 Math, Grade 8 Science, Math 3, Biology, and English 2 and rising graduation rates.
The percentage of PSRC students performing at grade-level proficiency in Math grades 3-8 improved from 33.2% to 35.6% and Math 3 improved from 42.5% to 47.1%. Grade 8 Science improved from 57.5% to 59%. English 2 had a modest gain from 38.6% to 39.4%. There was a minimal decrease in 3-8 Reading scores, from 31% to 29.7%, and Grade 5 Science scores, from 45.4% to 43.3%
Overall, the Public Schools of Robeson County’s End-of-Grade and End-of-Course Accountability data demonstrate the continued increase in academic proficiency. The district saw gains in overall student performance from 35.9% to 36.3%.
Improved Graduation Rates
Mirroring NC trends, PSRC 4-year graduation rates are on the rise as well, increasing from 79.2% in 2022-2023 to 83.4% in 2023-2024. PSRC’s 4.2% gain surpasses the state’s four-year cohort graduation rate increase of .4%.
English Language Learner Gains
According to the State Board of Education report, English Language Learners (EL) in NC saw significant growth gains and an increase in the percentage of students meeting progress targets. Similar gains were made in PSRC, with EL Progress increasing from 17.8% in 2022-23 to 20.8% in 2023-24.
Improvement in Subgroup Performance
Multiple subgroups in schools across the Public Schools of Robeson County saw improvement in scores in the 2023-2024 academic year. Due to the increased performance of subgroups, six schools were removed from the Targeted Support and Improvement-Additional Targeted (TSI-AT) list. The school district plans to build upon the growth reflected in subgroup test data in the 2023-2024 academic year.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction defines TSI-AT schools as any school where one or more subgroups have a School Performance Grade (SPG) score lower than the highest-scoring Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school’s All Students group total score in the identification year.
“Seeing incremental increases is a crucial first step in the journey toward improvement. These small gains provide a foundation upon which more substantial progress can be built. Each improvement, no matter how modest, signals that the strategies and efforts in place are beginning to make a difference,” said Cindy Lewis, Director of PSRC Testing and Accountability.
“By acknowledging and celebrating these successes, we create momentum and establish a positive trajectory for further development. Improvement often begins with these initial, gradual changes, and it’s through building on them that we can achieve more significant, long-term growth,” she added.
School Performance Grade Formula
The A-F school performance grades that schools received for 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 were impacted by the formula used to determine those grades because student performance on the state tests far outweighs the credit schools earn for the progress students make on the same tests from one year to the next.
The current system for measuring school performance heavily weighs test scores, with 80% of the grade based on the percentage of students achieving at least grade-level proficiency. Only 20% of the grade reflects student growth, which is assessed using a statistical model that compares predicted test scores—based on past performance—to actual results. This method may not fully account for the broader impacts of external factors, which have influenced test scores and led to a decline in school performance grades. By focusing primarily on test scores, the system might not adequately reflect the unique challenges students face and could place schools dealing with these broader issues at a disadvantage.
Status and School Performance Grades
Overall, 58.3% of PSRC schools met or exceeded growth. Eight schools improved their school performance grades in the 2023-2024 academic year.
However, the school district has maintained a low-performing status due to 26 schools being identified as low-performing in the district. There were eight schools that earned a school performance grade of C and two schools earned an A. Twenty-eight schools increased or maintained their school performance grades.
The following schools met growth:
Deep Branch Elementary
Fairgrove Elementary
Fairmont High
Long Branch Elementary
Lumberton Junior High
Lumberton Senior High
Oxendine Elementary
Pembroke Elementary
Peterson Elementary
Red Springs High
Rex-Rennert Elementary
Rowland-Norment Elementary
St. Pauls High
South Robeson Middle
Southside-Ashpole Elementary
Townsend Elementary
Union Chapel Elementary
The following schools exceeded growth:
East Robeson Primary
Magnolia Elementary
Prospect Elementary
PSRC Early College
Union Elementary
Looking Ahead
The Public Schools of Robeson County will continue to build upon its work to improve by using the Relay Framework for school improvement as its turnaround model. The district will continue its work of building capacity in administrators as instructional leaders in their buildings and educators as change agents in their classrooms. The school district will also continue to follow its strategic plan that focuses on leadership, systems of support for students and staff, and a strong emphasis on the collective work necessary to move the district forward.
“Our mission is to provide a student-centered learning environment that prepares all students for college, career, and life,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“This plan is not just a roadmap for achieving our vision but also a call to action for collective commitment. Success requires the active participation of everyone involved in our school system. By reinforcing our expectations and metrics for success, we aim to elevate our district's performance and ensure that each student’s potential is realized,” he added.