Hancock County Schools continuing to excel in state accountability scores

Hancock County Public Schools continues its tradition of excellence with the 2022-2023 state accountability assessments. Hancock County High School holds their rank having one of the top 30 district high school index scores in the state out of 172 school districts with their overall achievement index scores.

Over 70 percent of all HCPS schools’ accountability measures showed an increase in scores. As a collective effort, the district at the high school level is ranked number 1 in the Region of 12 school districts in overall accountability, ACT Scores, and Postsecondary Readiness.

This success is attributed to the hard work and focus the district has placed on academics as well as developing intentional pathways for student career readiness.

Postsecondary Readiness, ACT and Graduation Rate have all increased from the collective efforts of school administration and teachers focused on student’s future goals by intentionally aligning purposeful pathway classes including opportunities for internships with our local businesses, pathway certifications, more Dual Credit classes and college classes as well as apprenticeships that will carry on past graduation.

Each of the elementary schools increased in their reading and math as well as their social studies and science accountability scores. Ms. Jennifer Howe, principal at South Hancock Elementary School stated,

“Even though we feel good about our growth and increase in scores, our staff is already planning how to improve this school year.” This is the common comment from all administrators in the district. Ms. Ginger Estes HCHS Principal stated, “We want to be the number one school district in the state and we have the students and staff who can make that happen.”

Initiatives in the district

There have been several initiatives in the district to help support teachers with instructional delivery such as new curriculum materials and professional development. Ms. Lori Beavin, a preschool teacher at North Elementary School stated, “We have always assumed that the curriculum we have used was good enough”; however, as Briana Pulliam, the district Literacy Coach leading professional development in the elementary schools states, “In Hancock County, explicit, systematic and sequential instruction is our priority.” Hancock County has been working hard the past two years to build a curriculum in all academic areas that is vertically aligned K-12 and connects one grade level to the next.

The middle school is also celebrating increased scores in the accountability area of Science, Social Studies and Writing. The new inquiry based requirements in state assessments have changed the way teachers are having to prepare for lessons and students are required to make connections with concepts and artifacts rather than just memorizing content.

“It is a higher level of both teaching and learning than we have had in the past. Our teachers have put in an extreme amount of time preparing for these phenomenon based lessons that teach students to apply critical thinking and problem solving with their science/social studies knowledge. Learning is not about just memorizing facts anymore,” states Robin Poynter, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Assessments. “I am glad we have been able to provide needed curriculum and professional development in each of these areas.”

Since the pandemic

Since the pandemic, the district finally feels normalcy has returned for classroom teaching and family support in school events. The interventions put in place to assist students in catching up and the professional development provided in all areas of reading, math, science and social studies have contributed to the collective efforts and success shown by the state assessments.

“I am pleased with the growth we are seeing from each of our schools in the district”, commented Robby Asberry, Superintendent, “We will continue to support our teachers and staff to give them what they need to give our students the best education in the state. Our goal is to be one of the top school districts in the State of Kentucky. I believe we are on track to see that happen!”