Cape schools meet growth goals

Cape Henlopen schools met or exceeded learning growth expectations after the state completed the last year of test results using the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System.

Growth measurements are based on scores from various grouping of students. These groupings include race, socioeconomic and English language learners. If a school has 30 or more students in any one group, it must report the results. H.O.Brittingham Elementary, with its diverse population, has more information to report than any other district school; last year H.O. Brittingham failed to meet state requirements in a few categories.

This year, however, at least 10 percent of HOB students improved their test scores over last year, leading to this year's success.

Michael Kelley, director of curriculum and instruction said he was happy to see HOB met state expectations for 2014 after not making it in 2013. "That said, all schools have room for improvement,” he said.

“We're thrilled with our results,” said Christy Greaves, HOB principal. “This year we worked very hard to get to this point.”

The Sussex Consortium, the countywide school for special needs students, did not meet its growth goals for the year. The school accepts students from other districts, although it remains under the district's purview.

Superintendent Robert Fulton said he was pleased with the district's progress, even though it's the last year the state is using that test. Next year, Delaware schools will use a Smarter Balanced test for its statewide assessments.

“We're going to work smarter and make big improvements,” he said.