BCHS has high failure rate on EOCT

Posted by
Staff Writer
in News Links, Top Stories
Thursday, March 19. 2009
Comments (31)
Banks County High School had a higher than average failure rate in most of its fall End of Course Test results.


The school had results reported in only four out of eight categories for the fall semester, but in three out of those four areas, BCHS students failed at a higher rate than their peers around the state.

BCHS students best results was in 9th Grade Literature where only 10 percent of students failed the EOCT compared to the state rate of 26 percent. The fall results for the class were also better than BCHS’ spring EOCT test when 24 percent of test takers failed.

But in Algebra, Biology and Economics, BCHS students exceeded the state’s EOCT failure rates in the fall testing period.

In spring EOCT testing, BCHS students fared a little better compared to state results with only two out of eight testing areas having a higher failure rate than the state.

Of the eight areas, BCHS students were weak in both spring and fall testing in Biology and Economics where they failed at a higher rate than the state both semesters.


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#1 Anon on 03/19/09 at 10:13 AM [Reply]
It should be pointed out(but these reporters aren't going to tell you this) that the students who primarilly take a Fall EOCT are taking it at this time of year because they failed a course in the past. Thus the results of these students are more haphazard that the results of the overall student body. The mainstream students take the test in the spring. The spring's test results are much more telling that the fall's. Six out of eight isn't bad. I guess good news for the school sells less newspapers.
#1.1 Mike Buffington on 03/19/09 at 10:42 AM [Reply]
The spring data was included in this story along with the fall results. As was stated in the story, the spring results were better, although BCHS students were worse in two areas (Biology, Economics) than the state. It's all in the story. Rest assured, the upcoming spring results on EOCT will also be reported.
#1.1.1 Keith on 03/19/09 at 10:49 AM [Reply]
Economics is a senior level class so if it was state average then 30% of the senior class would not graduate from BCHS. These tests are only 15% of their grade. So if a student has a 73 in a class and makes a 50 on the EOCT then they still have a 70. Do the math.
#1.1.2 BCHS FRIEND on 03/25/09 at 10:10 AM [Reply]
In my eyes BCHS is the best,it what the kids put in to their
education and what they want out of it.Our kids graduate from
BCHS and both went to college one a coach and principle and
the other is in finiance for a big company. The newpaper need
to quit this comment section on their web site,it just cause
trouble between schools,counties,and friends.In thses days we all
need to work together and quit bashing each other.Also,there
some smart kids comes from BCHS.Some are doctors,lawyer,teachers
and some are just farmers etc.
#2 Keith on 03/19/09 at 10:41 AM [Reply]
I am sick of the BCN smearing BCHS. Please tell the whole story. It is in fact students in Algebra 1 and Biology are taking it because they had to retake 1st semester. If they passed 2nd semester last year then they would have to take it fall semester. Other schools are on block scheduling so their top students are taking the test. BCN get your story straight before smearing BCHS.
#3 Come on Buffington.. on 03/19/09 at 01:19 PM [Reply]
Did you realize that 13 kids took the Algebra I EOCT this fall and 16 kids took the Biology EOCT. In the spring, more than 160 kids took the Algebra EOCT and BCHS was above the state then. Unlike most schools, the BCHS fall test takers are kids who failed one semester of the material already, so they're bound to have lower scores. It isn't valid to judge a body of over 800 kids based on the scores of 13 repeaters. To plaster this on the first page as if BCHS isn't doing their job is absurd. Statistics are no good until you tell the whole story. You're sacrificing integrity to sell newspapers.
#3.1 Mike Buffington on 03/19/09 at 02:13 PM [Reply]
You are correct that fewer students took those two tests in the fall than in the spring. But the spring EOCT tests in those two subjects at BCHS was also very weak. Last spring in Algebra, 44% of BCHS students failed which was at the state average of 45%. That's nothing to brag about when many other area school systems did much better... for example, all four high schools in Jackson County were under 19% in the spring EOCT test. In the Algebra spring EOCT test, BCHS ranked 269th out of 500 high schools reporting, not exactly a position to brag about.
In Biology, BCHS students were worse than the state average in the spring EOCT. The state failure rate was 38% while BCHS failure rate was 39%; that ranked BCHS 182nd out of 410 high schools reporting. And again, BCHS' failure rate in the spring was much higher than many of the other area school systems.
You don't mention it here, but BCHS results in Economics was also dismal last spring as 36% of BCHS students failed compared to the state average of 32%.
While the results will vary from semester to semester depending on course offerings, etc. that does not fully explain the rather poor results by BCHS in BOTH the spring and fall. Just being around the state average doesn't say much for any school since EOCT is a minimum skills test; anytime a school has over 1/3 of its students fail a minimum skills test, it's a sign that something needs fixing.
#4 Todd on 03/19/09 at 04:44 PM [Reply]
Again, you enter territory you know little about Buffington. Did you realize that many schools are on block and teach Algebra I year round? That means they get almost twice as much instruction as those at BCHS. So considering BCHS doesn't have that privilege, 269th of 500 isn't bad at all. AS for the other schools, I offer them congratulations, I'm not going to go bashing like you did.
Biology was one percentage point behind the state average. Is that so bad? And if 32% is the state norm, why is 36% "dismal"? That's only four percentage points. BCHS did a fine job in the spring, beating the state average in six of eight subjects( and not missing the other two by much). Fall EOCTs are a crapshoot. If you want to judge an entire school based on less than 2% of its kids(who had failed previously), then that's your own ignorance. Case in point-why bash a school with bold letters on the front page over something that means very little?
#4.1 Mike Buffington on 03/19/09 at 07:31 PM [Reply]
Bashing? These are just the facts. Nobody is suggesting a school be judged only on these tests, but the results from both spring and fall EOCT testing were, overall, mediocre at BCHS.
Perhaps the education establishment doesn't want these numbers distributed or questions to be asked, but certainly parents and citizens in Banks County should know what is happening in the school system they support and pay for.
#5 Roscoe on 03/20/09 at 05:53 AM [Reply]
I notice that a negative story like this, showing an area on which the school might need to work, is given a front-page position. I'd like to see some big old headlines about academic honors and success of students from BCHS. I'm sure y'all could slant your stories in EITHER direction, couldn't you?
#6 Ron on 03/20/09 at 06:06 AM [Reply]
No one is bragging about the numbers at BCHS. Not once has an article said that anyone was excited that they are average. Just like I am sure you do not brag about your circulation numbers. Why is your circulation numbers less than other newspaper such as the Athens Banner Herald? Maybe because it is less money, less workers, etc. Comparing one school to another is like comparing apples to oranges because of factors such as socioeconomic status, block scheduling, etc. I know you are trying to sell papers but it will backfire on you eventually trying to run the Mainstreet Inquirer.
#7 JohnnyB on 03/20/09 at 10:12 AM [Reply]
I am not in Banks County. I am just a bystander.What I find truely amazing is the acceptance of mediocrity. Why attack the paper instead of placing blame where it should be. But then again, government schools are above reproach.
#7.1 Roscoe on 03/20/09 at 01:19 PM [Reply]
There isn't an acceptance of mediocrity. What there is, is an EMPHASIS always on the school system's flaws and very little attention given to academic success. Honors Days come and go. improvements occur, and do these appear in the amazing Banks County News? Academic successes are given very little coverage.
#7.1.1 Mike Buffington, co-publisher on 03/20/09 at 05:01 PM [Reply]
Perhaps you need some new reading glasses. I refer you to this week's Banks County News:

--Page 1A Photo: "Video from BCPS students presented"

--Page 2A Headline: "BCHS students and teachers honored" with 2 photos

--Page 3A Headline: "Banks students recognized by BOE recently" with 2 photos

--Page 8A Headlines: "BCHS receives state grant;" and "Board of Education Appreciation Week observed: and 3 photos

We publish articles of this nature week after week and I reject the notion that academic success is being ignored in the newspaper.

As for the article you're upset about, we make no apologies for providing test results information about BCHS students.

You apparently want us to spin the news and ignore legitimate information to coverup some warts. Sorry, we're not in the spin business.
#7.2 Gary on 03/20/09 at 06:52 PM [Reply]
If you are a man of high standards, one who doesn't accept mediocrity, it looks like you could spell TRULY.
#8 Concerned on 03/20/09 at 06:25 PM [Reply]
The EOCT is not just a minimum skills test.
#8.1 Mike Buffington, Co-Publisher on 03/21/09 at 09:55 AM [Reply]
EOCT is a minimum skills test. To quote from the Georgia Department of Education about the tests:

"The EOCT assess only a sample of the knowledge and skills that educators agree comprise a complete curriculum for each subject. Georgia students have opportunities to learn — and are expected to master — much more than the tests address."

Not our view, that's the state's view.
#9 Roscoe on 03/20/09 at 06:56 PM [Reply]
No, my vision is just fine, thanks. I can see that headline with the words "high EOCT failure rate" in quite large letters on the front page! Also, how much front page space is given to this article about what is wrong with the high school, and how much is given to these other items you mention? And isn't this the SECOND time that an article about the EOCT scores has been on the front page?

Never in a million years would anyone imagine that you folks "spin the news" nor think that you are "in the spin business." Oh, no.
#10 Concerned on 03/21/09 at 12:20 PM [Reply]
Whatever Buffington- you think you know it all-but I have news for you-you don't. How about you take the test and then report your scores, if it is just a minimum skills test then I bet you have the skills, right?
#10.1 Mike Buffington on 03/22/09 at 09:43 AM [Reply]
We just report the facts. You don't have to like them, but they are what they are. Why not put more effort into fixing the problem than defending the status quo?
#10.1.1 David on 03/22/09 at 12:59 PM [Reply]
Here Here Mike Buffington. I whole heartedly agree with
you!! Living in BC leaves me wondering what on earth
do I live here for! These people forget what a good
job your paper did for our judicial system!!
Narrow minded short attentioned people griping at a news
paper when the leaders of the school continously raise
taxes to pay for a school that produces these results.
And people in BC are proud of the School Board, , as
the sign so states at the primary school.
Proud of what? Who, those morons on the board? They spend
to much time on conferences at Jekyl to know what is
going on!!
#11 Concerned on 03/22/09 at 09:47 PM [Reply]
Careful, careful calling people morons. Where is Jekyl? Do you mean Jekyll?
#11.1 David on 03/24/09 at 01:50 AM [Reply]
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary definition: Moron - A very stupid person. I along with many others think raising tax millage rates when Banks County has the highest home foreclosure and highest unemployment rates in it's history qualifies as "VERY STUPID". But then Forrest did say stupid is as stupid does.
#11.2 jdub on 03/24/09 at 08:39 AM [Reply]
Considering Banks County has a tax rate about a 1/4 that of surrounding counties and EOCT test scores that are on line or close to state averages overall for the year is not bad. Yes taxes have gone up in recent years to pay for the school system, however to complain that your taxes are paying for these results is like complaining that your 500 dollar car can't compete at the drag strip.
I am sure the county and BOE would love to be able to have taxes raised to comparable levels to Jackson, Hall, and Gwinnett County levels then we would have a school system with more money to invest in salary, benefit, and resources for the teachers and students. When you are paying three to four times what you pay now and getting these results, complain.
#11.2.1 Mike Buffington, publisher on 03/24/09 at 02:20 PM [Reply]
Tax rates for schools (not including bonds):

Banks 13.24 mills
Habersham 13.35 mills
Jackson 18.9 mills
Madison 16.99mills
Franklin 14.86mills
#11.2.1.1 jdub on 03/25/09 at 11:42 AM [Reply]
No sir those are Mil Rates. Tax rates are based on the amount of tax paid for the property. Considering a standard 3 bedroom house on 1 acre of land in Jackson, Banks, or Gwinnett County will run approx 1300 to 1800 and the same house in Banks County will run about 400 to 600 dollars, the tax rate is lower. Yes the Mil rate is comprable however land valuation and taxable value are much less in Banks County.
#12 Ron on 03/24/09 at 05:06 PM [Reply]
Habersham is one of the few school systems in the state that is allowed to use $.01 SPLOST for instruction purposes. Because of that Banks and Habersham are not really comparable when it comes to mills. Due to the SPLOST for instruction purposes Habersham is feeding quite a bit more money for instruction.
#13 Anonymous on 03/25/09 at 12:35 PM [Reply]
Mike Buffington has bashed Banks County as a whole since the day he took over as publisher and editor. Unsure why he constantly paints a negative picture of our County. Best way to "fire" him is to stop reading his newspaper. I did!
#13.1 Anonymous on 03/25/09 at 02:45 PM [Reply]
Well, you're reading this online, where advertising space is also sold. Great job Einstein!
#13.1.1 Lee on 03/26/09 at 12:18 PM [Reply]
Why is everyone bashing Mike Buffington when all he is doing is providing news to us? That is his job. The paper is suppose to keep us informed of all the activities going on in our county and school system. You all should be worring about the education that our students are obtaining. You should be asking question such as why are so many students passing these classes, but failing the EOCT? I have known for years that this has been going on at BCHS. I had three sons who attended BCHS and they all went to college at UGA. Very smart young men, but were they honor students at BCHS? No, they should have been, but the honors always go to board members children, superintendent's children, and others who are simply given grades. There are so many that have been given the title of "honor" student at BCHS, but then fluke out of college or loose their Hope Scholarship. Folks, you are not doing our children justice by bashing the paper. They are not the ones in charge of educating our children. They are only spreading the news, which is their job. Banks County and the Superintendent has always been held up high and praised by the community when good things happen. But when something needs work everyone starts bashing the paper. Where is Chris Erwin and his board now? Do something - fix the situation - educate our children as they should be - don't just give grades. BE ACCOUNTABLE.
#14 Jessica on 03/30/09 at 07:21 PM [Reply]
Maybe instead of bashing Mr. Buffington for enjoying his right of free speech, the citizens of Banks County should concentrate on the acceptance of mediocrity in this school system. These children should not have to "get what they put into their education." Teachers are paid to prepare them for their future, they aren't there to allow the students to just take what they can get. That is so ignorant, but that is the problem, isn't it? My children won't go to school here where I live and pay taxes, because I think my children deserve better.
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