Jenks Public Schools Urges Parents: Don’t Be 'Rattled' By Low State Testing Scores

Jenks Public Schools released its recent state testing results. Jenks data shows the majority of students, across all grades, scored at grade level or below on every subject.  

Jenks Public Schools had high participation numbers, with at least 95 percent of kids testing at every school, so the district can take a confident look at performance numbers, knowing almost every child took the test.  

As Jenks Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Lair looked over state testing performance results, she saw exactly what the district expected. 

"We anticipated that the scores would be lower, and they were lower,” Lair said.  

A look at the data from all third graders in the district shows the number of students scoring at a proficient or advanced level in English dropped from 48 percent in 2019, to 32 percent in 2021. 

It is a similar story in Math, with about half, 51 percent, of 3rd graders scoring proficient or advanced level in 2019, but during the pandemic, that number dropped 39 percent. 

Taking a broader look at the district, the lowest performing grade level in any subject was 8th grade Math. Data from the district shows just 17 percent of students were proficient or advanced, meaning 83 percent of 8th grade students were at grade level or below. 

Lair said in any normal year the district would take a look at how it compares to surrounding districts and to the state. But during this disruptive school year, Lair said there are too many variables. 

"Really this year it's just gonna be a tough year to make those similar comparisons. I don't know how relevant it will be for any of the school districts,” Lair said.  

Her message to parents: 

"What I would tell parents is to not be rattled by any of it. Just stay the course and know that our teachers are well informed about what needs to be done in the classroom,” she said.  

Lair said the district used some of its federal COVID relief money to expand their summer school programs. She said they had higher participation than ever before, and plan to continue those programs in the future to try to help close learning gaps.