Schools

Land O' Lakes Students Make The Grade In Algebra

Local students scored above the state average on this first-time state test. Pine View Middle had the highest average score in the county.

While most adults might cringe at the mention of algebra, Pasco’s students seem to have a pretty good handle on the topic.

According to the state Department of Education, Pasco’s students are slightly above the Florida average when it comes to testing on materials presented in Algebra I courses.

The state rolled out a first-ever end-of-course exam for all students taking Algebra I this year. The results of that testing were released today.

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Using what is called a “T-score” with a range of 20 to 80, the state determined Pasco kids were slightly above their peers throughout Florida. The average T-score in the state was 49. Pasco’s students averaged 50, said Summer Romagnoli, the district’s spokeswoman.

Several individual schools had average T-scores that stood out, she noted in a media release. Land O’ Lakes High School had a 50 average, Mitchell came in at 52 and Pasco eSchool students averaged 51.

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Middle school students taking Algebra I also had to take the test. In Pasco, 100 percent of the middle schools scored above the state average. Several middle schools, in fact, had a T-score of at least 60, including Rushe at 65 and Pine View at 68.

Pine View's principal, Jennifer Crosby, is very excited about her students’ achievements.

“We couldn’t be more proud,” she said. “Really it’s a testament to those instructional leaders in the classrooms. The kids themselves are also very focused and took that test very seriously.”

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino is pleased with Pasco’s performance on this first-time test.

“I am extremely proud of our achievement in high school mathematics during this important transition year,” she said.


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