Press Releases

For Immediate Release: August 11, 2009. Contact: Sheila Adams, (936)632-1720

St. Cyprian’s Students Receive Equivalent of “Exemplary” on TAKS Test

The students at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School received an equivalent of “exemplary” status for scores achieved on the TAKS test (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills).  The TAKS test is a standardized test used to assess the minimum skills in science, math, social studies, reading and in some grades writing according to the Texas education standards. Students that are home-schooled or attend private schools like St. Cyprian’s are not required to take the TAKS test. To receive a status of “exemplary” a school must have a 90% passing rate for all students. Although not required by the state to give the test, St. Cyprian’s administers the test to evaluate the progress of students.
Third grade students at St. Cyprian’s received a 94% passing rate in Reading with 75% commended and 100% passing rate in Mathematics with 56% commended.
Fourth grade students received a 91% passing rate in Reading with 27% commended, 100% passing rate in Mathematics with 73% commended and 91% passing rate in Writing with 18% commended.
Fifth grade students received a 100% passing rate in Reading, 67% commended performance. In Mathematics they received a 100% passing rate and 100% commended performance.  In Science, the fifth grade students received 100% passing rate with 67% being commended.
To be commended students can only miss two questions or less. The state average for commended students hovers around 30 to 40%.  Of the 39 students that were tested in grades 3 through 5, 41% were commended on ALL tests, and 93% percent of students with dyslexia passed with 57% receiving a commended performance.
Along with the TAKS test, students at St. Cyprian’s are administered the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) which is a more comprehensive test. The ITBS compares student’s scores with those of students across the nation. The scoring system on the ITBS indicates a grade level based on the outcome of the test scores. For example, the fifth grade class scored a 9th grade, eighth month level in mathematics. Below are the scores achieved for the ITBS according to grade level:

Kindergarten Language: 1.1 Math: 1.3 Core Total: 1.3
1st Grade           Reading: 2.2 Language: 2.1 Math: 2.1 Core Total: 2.1
2nd Grade           Reading: 3.2 Language: 2.8 Math: 3.0 Core Total: 3.0
3rd Grade           Reading: 5.1 Language: 5.3 Math: 4.9 Core Total: 5.1
4th Grade           Reading: 6.1 Language: 7.4 Math: 7.5 Core Total: 6.9
5th Grade           Reading: 9.1 Language: 9.0 Math: 9.8 Core Total: 9.3

“These scores are indicators that the students and the staff have caught the vision of what we’re trying to accomplish at St. Cyprian’s,” said Brinn Williford, St. Cyprian’s Head of School. He said, “Test scores are numbers that reflect students and how hard they are working to succeed. We are truly thankful for the support of the staff, parents and school board for their dedication in encouraging students and reminding them of the importance of a great education.”
Established in 1955, the mission of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School is to be a community of learners where students are challenged to achieve their highest academic, spiritual and physical potentials in a Christian setting. To find out more, log on to http://www.saintcyprians.org.