Bartlesville Public Schools had the privilege of beginning the 2005-2006 school year on an extremely high note. Our district test scores had significantly increased, and the overall Academic Performance Index had improved throughout the district.

Bartlesville Public Schools continues to improve on their Academic Performance Index (API) scores from the Oklahoma Department of Education. The API is part of the state of Oklahoma 's response to the Federal No Child Left Behind Legislation. For the past four years, schools statewide have been given an Academic Performance Index based on the school test performance of the non-high mobility regular education students , attendance rate, and at the high school level, dropout rate and graduation rate . For the fourth year in a row, our district has increased its API score. Bartlesville Public Schools' 2005 score improved another 56 points to 1263 (see Graph 1). The API scale ranges from 0 to 1500, with 1000 being considered average. The district scores improved 191 points since the inception of the program in 2002.

Bartlesville Public School District Academic Performance Index (API)

Graph 1

The performance of various individual subgroups of students is also reported. These subgroups are divided into separate categories based on gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, English Language Learners, migrant, special education, and all students. The subgroup identified as “ all-students” includes all non-high mobility regular education and special education students. BPS 2005 API scores increased in every individual subgroup tested with the exception of only one.

A ll of the district's schools made Adequate Yearly Progress or met Safe Harbor as a result of the improved test scores.  It is noteworthy to report there was an increased achievement for the subgroups of Special Education students and economically disadvantaged students.

Bartlesville Public Schools remains among the state's best when it comes to scoring well on the ACT college entrance exam. In 2005, Bartlesville High School averaged a score of 22.0, besting the average score of 20.4 at the state level and 20.9 at the national level (Graph 2). That's always good news for our students, parents, staff and community. Bartlesville students have consistently demonstrated strong academic performance. Almost all sites had outstanding improvements in their test scores and API. As an educator, I am extremely proud of the overall test score performance of our students.

Bartlesville Public Schools Class of 2005 ACT Scores:

22.0 District Average; 20.4 Oklahoma average ; 20.9 National average

Graph 2

Students throughout the district have continually improved on several state Criterion Reference Tests and End of Instruction Tests. The 2005 scores show high scores in third grade reading and math, fourth grade reading and math, fifth grade reading, math and science, seventh grade geography (only test given to seventh grade), eighth grade reading and science, English II and American History tests.

The 2005 third grade reading had a score of 90 percent of students scoring at proficient or above (Graph 3), and third grade math had 88 percent (Graph 4).

Third Grade Reading CRT

*SAT 9 Given - Core Results

2000 No Tests Given

Graph 3

Third Grade Math CRT

*SAT 9 Given - Core Results

2000 No Tests Given

Graph 4

The fourth grade reading and math tests were new this year, and students received impressive scores of 94 and 89 respectively (Graph 5).

2005 Fourth Grade Math and Reading CRT

Graph 5

The fifth grade reading, math and science scores remained strong at 87 and 89, and 88 respectively. The fifth grade writing scores improved 19 points. For the first year, we had a seventh grade geography Criterion Reference Test. This is also the first test to be done online. The district score was an extremely high 91 percent of students scoring at proficient or above (Graph 6).

Seventh Grade Geography

Graph 6

The eighth grade reading score was an 83, and science was an 85.

The English II End of Instruction tests included a new writing portion of the exam in 2005, and students increased their scores by 11 percent to an 81 (Graph 7).

English II End of Instruction Test

* Writing Test Included

Graph 7

The American History End of Instruction exams improved five points to an 86 in 2005 (Graph 8).

American History End of Instruction Test

Graph 8

In other outstanding academic news, Bartlesville High School boasts 24 students who have earned the designation of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program. Five students were also named National Merit Semifinalists, bringing the total number of National Merit Semifinalists to 219 since 1982.

We are very pleased with the tremendous success of our school district this year on student achievement. Our principals, teachers and classified staff have worked extremely hard on focusing on improving our test scores. The results are phenomenal.