Press Releases

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2010. Contact: Sheila Adams, Marketing Director, 632-1720

St. Cyprian’s Students Receive Exceptional TAKS Test Scores

Lufkin—The students at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School have received exceptional Commended Performance scores on their Spring 2010 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 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. However, St. Cyprian’s administers the test to evaluate the progress of students as compared to State standards.
Third grade students at St. Cyprian’s received a 100% passing rate in Reading with 36% Commended and 100% passing rate in Mathematics with 42% Commended.
Fourth grade students received a 100% passing rate in Reading with 53% Commended, 100% passing rate in Mathematics with 73% Commended and 93% passing rate in Writing with 46% Commended.
Fifth grade students received a 100% passing rate in Reading, 54% Commended Performance. In Mathematics they received a 100% passing rate and 85% Commended Performance.  In Science, the fifth grade students received 85% passing rate with 62% being Commended.
To be commended students can typically only miss two questions or less. 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 Commended Performance on one or more sections.
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Page 2 – TAKS test scores
Along with the TAKS test, students at St. Cyprian’s were administered the TerraNova test which is a comprehensive nationally-normed test. The TerraNova compares student’s scores with those of other students across the nation and is one of the approved tests to become a national Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon School Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. These schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation. This is the first year the TerraNova test was given to St. Cyprian students, and below are the composite achievement levels of the 5th grade students. The achievement levels indicate grade level and month of that instruction. A score of 6.4 would mean that student scored equally to a student that is in the 6th grade, 4th month.
5th Grade Reading: 8.4 Language: 9.2 Math: 10.6 Core Total: 9.9

“These scores are indicators that we have consistently strong instruction, high student work ethic and challenging curriculum without teaching to the test,” said Brinn Williford, St. Cyprian’s Head of School. He said, “Our fifth grade TAKS scores in math and reading approximately double the state average for Commended Performance, and Science scores should also be in that range. Test scores are numbers that reflect individual 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.

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