The Kentucky Core Content Tests (KCCT) scores are out and reveal that Harlan County schools have dropped slightly from last year, while Harlan Independent scores have risen from a year ago.

Harlan Independent Schools Superintendent David Johnson said he is very happy with all the results and although most scores are higher than the states average he still can see that certain grade levels can use some improvement.

“Overall, we are pleased with all the results this year. We showed growth in many areas. Many of our grade levels had scores over 100. Looking at it from a district perspective, we have seen good growth from year to year. We are pleased to see this kind of growth,” said Johnson.

Johnson went on to say that the Harlan High School score of 89.1 ranked 17th in the state and the district score of 93.9 ranked 15th out of 174 districts in the state. Harlan Independent’s KCCT score grew overall from the 2008 with the elementary school raising six points from a 90 to 96, the middle school went from a 92 to 97, and the high school increased from an 86 to an 89.

Harlan County scores saw a slight decrease this year compared to last year. In 2008, the elementary and middle schools individually received a score of 86 and high schools received a 66. The scores also dropped slightly with the elementary receiving a 83, middle schools an 82 and the new Harlan County High School scored a 65 for its first year as a new consolidated school.

Harlan County Title 1 director Brent Roark explained that in the following days and weeks he would be going over these reports to find out where support will be placed to help raise scores back up for the next year.

“We’ll be analyzing the results for some time to come so we can improve the areas that raised the most and expand in the areas we are already seeing positive results in,” said Roark.

KCCT test schools in five categories reading, mathematics, science, social studies and on-demand writing, if all students scored a distinguished, the highest level possible, a maximum of 140 points can be received. A score of 100 means the average of all student test scored a proficient in that particular area. This year several local schools scored over 100 points in many of the testing areas.

At the elementary level, grades 3-5, Cawood Elementary School scored a 101 and Wallins Elementary School received a score of 111 in the science tests. Harlan Elementary School scored 104 in both the mathematics and science field.

Middle school, grades 6-8, scores saw Wallins receiving a 110 in science and Harlan Middle School getting a score of 106 in science as well.

Harlan High School was the only school at the high school level to receiving over 100 points, with a score of 113 in the area of on-demand reading.

“We will break the results down a piece at a time, letting it guide us to areas we need that need improving and strengthen the areas we are already strong in. These scores are important to us, since they direct us to where we place the help so we can improve,” said Roark.

Johnson went on to say the scores from the KCCT have helped shape to shape the curriculum already in place and will show the district what to change if it doesn’t work.

“Over the last few years we have focused our efforts on these scores, and we are starting to see the results. Our staff has worked really hard, and we are starting to see fruits from that. I want to commend our students and our staff for this last year. This last year’s index scores are the highest we have ever had,” Johnson said.