Most Rison Test Scores Compare Well With State

RISON - For the most part, Rison High School students ranked among the top districts in the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative based on results from the first ATLAS (Arkansas Teaching, Learning and Assessment System) tests given last school year.High school teachers Angel Jacobs and Sheri England presented the Cleveland County School Board with an overview of the results during its regular monthly meeting Monday night at the administration office in Rison. Jacobs reviewed the results on the science and literacy exams while England reviewed the math scores.The results for both junior high and high school grade levels were based on the ATLAS tests given during the 2023-24 school year. Jacobs explained the results reflect last year’s grade levels. For instance, the sixth grade results represents the current seventh grade class.ATLAS exams are assessment tests to measure how well students have grasped the material taught in certain subjects. Students score at one of four “levels”: Level 1 indicates students have limited understanding of knowledge and skills required of the subject area; Level 2 indicates a basic understanding; Level 3 indicates a proficient understanding; and Level 4 an advanced understanding. Students scoring at Level 3 and 4 are considered to have learned the subject matter, or essentially “pass” the test. Schools are compared by the percentage of students scoring at Levels 3-4 for any particular subject.Both Jacobs and England compared the percentage of students at Level 3-4 to the state average as well as to how they rank among the 15 school districts represented in the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative.Jacobs revealed the following information for science:Sixth Grade - 37 percent of Rison students scored at Level 3-4 compared to the state average of 35 percent. Rison ranked second in the cooperativeSeventh Grade - 31 percent scored at Level 3-4 compared to...