The Harlan Independent School District exceeded federal goals in this year's No Child Left Behind requirements.

Dr. James Green, the district's supervisor of instruction, gave a PowerPoint presentation to board members Thursday night, outlining both the progress that was made and work that needs to be done in certain subject areas.

“There have been improvements across the board,” Green reported to board members. “And in another year or two, we're going to be real pleased, but progress is going to take time.”

Recently released test scores showed that progress is already in the works, however, and that more of the district's students reached standards for reading and mathematics than in previous years.

“Overall, we are very pleased with our results,” said superintendent David Johnson. “Our goal is to prepare every student to be successful in life by providing an education that will give them the necessary skills to achieve their goals. These results show that we are making progress toward that purpose.”

According to this year's test results for the Harlan Independent School District, over 70 percent of the district's students who were tested in reading met state standards, and approximately 50 percent of the students did the same in math. Johnson pointed out that this is the highest percentage of students reaching state-approved standards in those content areas districtwide since the federal accountability system was initiated.

The area in which Johnson said his district made the most progress was 11th grade math. Compared to last year, scores in this area jumped from a 19 percent to a 33 percent improvement.

Last year, Johnson said, math scores were not as high as the district would like, but this year saw the benefits of increased concentration in the field.

“We increased work time for math in the elementary school, plus fifth and ninth grades,” Johnson said. “We also instigated a new curriculum which emphasizes students' ability to problem solve along with basic skills instruction. The improvement in math test scores is certainly an indicator of the increased attention we've given to this area.”

After Green's presentation Thursday night during the board's monthly meeting, Johnson noted that three out of four students met federal standards in reading.

“And that's outstanding,” he said.

One out of two students, he added, made improvements in math.

“Obviously, there is still room to improve in all areas, but we are very pleased as a whole,” he said. “Test scores are the result of a lot of hard work by our students, teachers, staff and principals. We are very proud of their efforts.”

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) test results include reading and mathematics only for students in grades three through eight. High school sophomores are assessed in reading, and juniors are tested in math.

Kentucky's state assessment scores, known as CATS, will be released next month. CATS includes reading, mathematics, science, social studies, writing, arts and humanities and practical living/vocational studies. Harlan High School received the highest score in the state in arts and humanities for high school students in 2005.

In other school board action Thursday:

-- It was announced that three new members were added to the district's foundation committee. The group also received approval to be designated a corporation and is also in the process of filing a tax exempt application.

-- Transportation guidelines were discussed for extracurricular programs in the middle and high schools for reimbursement of travel expenses.

-- In a construction update, it was reported that new dirt for compaction had been dumped during the first few weeks and that plumbing work for the community center's new boiler system had been done. In the next couple of weeks, more dirt will be dumped and footers for the new humanities building will be laid.

-- A part-time choral director, educational interpreter, preschool teacher, library aide, middle school assistant principal, parent educator and preschool instructional assistant positions were created.

--An executive session was held to discuss pending litigation.