431,000 students took the test. Now, the results are in. So, how did our area score in the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System?

In the Warren County and Bowling Green Independent school systems, two schools; Potter Gray Elementary and W.R. McNeill Elementary, have already met the goal all Kentucky schools are expected to meet by 2014.

Now, some area educators tell us why these high scores are of high importance.

At Briarwood Elementary, teachers have heard the school's CATS test scores, and it's music to their ears.

"Briarwood's extremely pleased with their test scores this year," says principal Debbie Richey. "We are just .7 away from the level of proficiency, which is 100. We have until 2014 to reach that goal."

Principal Richey says she expects the school to have met the goal by next year, though Kentucky schools have some time to bring their CATS scores to proficiency.

"We've crossed the 90 threshold and 100 is in sight," says Bowling Green High principal Gary Fields. "We have six years to get there. The biggest reason for proficiency is that it's a measure of our school. It's not a measurement of individual students or individual teachers. It's a total image of our school in academic areas."

What happens to schools that don't seem set to meet that level of proficiency?

"For schools that fall short, they put them under the assistance line," explains Jennifer Davis, director of elementary and secondary education for Bowling Green Independent Schools. "They can receive the scholastic review or scholastic audit which entails some suggestions of what they need to improve. The state department comes in and does that. They could also receive a highly skilled educator to come in and help."

In order to keep that effort from happening, does anyone know how to keep the scores improving?

"We just simply have to make sure we are providing the best instruction possible for the students we serve and their learning styles and their needs," Richey concludes.

In total, 91 Kentucky schools have met proficiency. For a complete list of CATS test scores, visit this link.
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Testing+and+Reporting+/Reports/CATS+Briefing+Packets/2008+CATS+Briefing+Packet.htm