Greensboro, N.C. - Guilford County Schools (GCS) continued to outpace the largest school districts in North Carolina and the state by hitting another milestone in 2021-22 with a four-year cohort graduation rate of 91.8%, the highest graduation rate in the district’s history since accountability measures have been collected.

The district reported gains over the previous record-high graduation rate of 91.5%. The four-year cohort graduation rate also reflects an increase in graduation rates for all student groups and racial/ethnic groups and the highest graduation rate in GCS history for Black and Hispanic students. More than 75% of GCS high schools had 90% or higher graduation rates.

GCS had much to celebrate when the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) presented the School Accountability and Student Test Performance Results for the 2021-22 School Year to the State Board of Education on September 1, 2022.

The state released the full array of end-of-grade (EOG) and end-of-course (EOC) proficiency results in the state accountability framework for the first time since 2018-19.  Because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, results for 2019-20 and 2020-21 were incomplete.

While GCS has many points of pride, it is important to note the impact COVID-19 had on 2021-22 test scores and student and school performance. State and national experts caution that it will take several years for students to recover from the learning loss experienced over the past two years, even though GCS had some increases in student performance.  

K-3 Literacy

GCS’ youngest learners shared gains in literacy. On the DIBELS® assessment,  every GCS student group in grades kindergarten through grade three had double-digit percentage point increases in early literacy skills proficiency from the beginning to the end of the year. GCS kindergarteners had the most significant increase, from 27% at the beginning to 71% at the end of the year.

All Test Performance Composites (Percent Proficient on All Tests Combined)

All student groups increased their percent proficiency on all tests combined (performance composite) compared to 2020-21. In fact, 102 out of 124 schools increased performance composites compared to 2020-21, including 59 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, 21 high schools and three alternative schools. Moreover, 20 GCS schools had 2021-22 performance composites at or above pre-COVID levels in 2018-19.

EOG Reading

Across grades three through eight, all students and individual student groups saw increases in EOG reading, except grade three. EOG reading proficiency increased at 51 elementary and 14 middle schools.

EOG Mathematics

Student math proficiency in grades three through eight increased for every grade level and student group in 2021-22. Twenty GCS schools improved their Grade 8 Math EOG (not including Math 1), while 24 schools improved their 8th Grade Math 1 EOC scores.

EOG Science

Grade five science proficiency increased overall and for all student groups. Additionally, grade eight science proficiency for English Learners (ELs) was higher in  2021-22 than in previous years.  

EOC Proficiency

Proficiency for EOCs includes scores of currently enrolled high school students in Biology, English II, Math 1, and Math 3. Proficiency increased for all student groups in Biology, Math 1 and Math 3.   

Academic Growth

Academic growth indicates the progress a student in the school made over the previous year, roughly equivalent to a year’s worth of expected growth for a year of instruction. North Carolina uses a statistical tool, the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS), to measure and report student growth on EOGs for each school as Exceeded Growth Expectations, Met Growth Expectations, or Did Not Meet Growth Expectations. ?

For the 2021-22 school year, 53% of GCS schools met or exceeded expected growth.  Twelve schools exceeded expected growth, including three elementary schools: Archer, Julius I Foust and EP Pearce; five middle schools: Jackson, Kiser, Mendenhall, Otis L. Hairston Sr and Welborn; and four high schools: Ben L. Smith, Early College at Guilford, Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro and Middle College at GTCC-High Point.

Recovering Unfinished Learning

While GCS celebrates the many gains in academic achievement made during an incredibly challenging year, the district also acknowledges much work remains to be done for all students to recover fully from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley stated, “While we are proud of the learning gains across our student groups, most of our students are not where they need to be. We have unfinished learning to address, and I know our team of teachers, principals and staff will not rest until all of our students make the academic gains needed to grow and thrive.”   

GCS was recently featured as a model of American Rescue Plan (ARP) best practices.  The district will continue to leverage the many strategies implemented to support students during the 2022-23 school year.  These practices include but are not limited to the following:

Districtwide summer 5th Quarter programs to address learning loss and course failures,
Expansion of high dosage tutoring to meet the needs of students who have fallen behind,
Alignment of instructional resources, assessment and professional learning for teachers, and
Implementation of learning hubs. 

To access the School Accountability and Student Test Performance Results for the 2021-22 School Year, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s website.

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools, the third-largest school district in North Carolina and the 50th largest of more than 14,000 in the United States, serves nearly 70,000 PK-12 students at 126 schools. With approximately 9,800 employees, GCS works in partnership with parents, businesses, colleges, and the community to deliver an education that connects student interests and skills with the careers and economy of our future here and around the world. We provide educational choices to meet individual student needs in a culturally diverse citizenship and new opportunities to help our students Soar to Greatness. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com.