CHS: better than most on end-of-course tests

In Math I, 76 percent of CHS test-takers passed, compared to 60 percent statewide.

Commerce students performed best in literature and composition. Ninety-six percent of those in the ninth grade class passed the end-of-course test, compared to 79 percent statewide. One hundred percent of students taking American Literature and Composition passed the test. The state average was 86 percent.

CHS students also did well in science classes. Ninety percent passed the biology exam, compared to 66 percent statewide; and 91 percent passed the physical science test, against a statewide mark of 68 percent.

Commerce test takers improved in six of eight exams over the scores from the first semester of the previous school year. The passage rate went up in both literature and composition courses, both math courses, economics and physical science. They fell in U.S. History and biology.

By far the biggest change came in Math II, where 70 percent of students passed the course at the end of the winter 2011 semester and only 44.2 percent passed the EOCT in Winter 2010.

Among the Jackson County School System’s two high schools, both generally improved EOCT scores from winter 2010 to 2011.

The exceptions were ninth grade literature and composition, American literature and composition, and physical science at EJCHS; and biology and physical science at JCCHS. Other than American literature and composition at EJCHS, both schools met or exceeded state passing scores on the winter 2011 EOCTs.

The schools also made substantial gains in some of the tests, according to data released by the district.

At EJCHS, the percentage of students passing the biology EOCT went from 75.2 in winter 2010 to 90 percent last year.

At JCCHS, the percentage of students passing the Math II EOCT went from 64.7 in winter 2010 to 83 percent last year.

Both schools showed improvements in their math scores — especially Math II — but students continued to struggle more with math than the other subjects, according to EOCT results for winter 2011.