PHS gets good report on grade inflation

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) recently released to members of the Arkansas General Assembly a report on grade inflation. That report identified 58 high schools in the state with a 20 percent or more inflation of grades.

"The term inflation of grades is used to identify students that make high grades in class, but do not score proficient on the state mandated tests for those subjects," said Piggott High School principal Barry DeHart. "Here at PHS we are proud to have gotten a good report on inflation of grades."

The ADE report takes on additional significance for students and their families this year, as it is included in the criteria for qualifying for an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

"Students who graduate from a high school identified on the grade inflation list, who otherwise meet the criteria, must score either a 19 or higher on the ACT or an equivalent test or score proficient on all end of course exams," DeHart added.

"We at Piggott High School are very proud to have only 3.8 percent inflation of grades," he added. "We scored as well or better than 80 percent of the schools in the state. We, as a school district, should be elated with such an accomplishment of everyone working together to strengthen our instructional program to bring us to this point."

DeHart also noted another area of importance in dealing with grades and test scores is the AYP, or average yearly progress.

"The AYP places each school in one of the following categories --- achieving status, alert status or school improvement levels one through eight," he noted. "Of the 40 schools in Northeast Arkansas, only four schools scored in the achieving status category and that included Piggott High School."

He added the effort was the result of many positive factors, such as initiative, ability of staff, parental influence and school environment.

"We should all be proud of these accomplishments, he surmised.

The report, mandated by Act 2197 of 2005, compares the grades of public high school students taking algebra I and geometry during the 2000-2009 school year with their scores on the state's 2009 end of course exams for those courses. High schools for which 20 percent or more of students made an A or B in the course but failed to score proficient or advanced on the corresponding end of course exams are identified as having grade inflation.

The report indicated that Corning High School experienced 16.4 percent grade inflation, while Rector High School reported 15.4 percent. It should also be noted that 46 high schools statewide reported no grade inflation.

The complete list may be found on the ADE website at http://arkansased.org/