BOONE COUNTY – Boone County public school students reached or exceeded proficiency scores in the most recent West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST2). The number of Boone County students reaching the “at or above” proficiency level has increased in math at all grade levels, and in reading at the elementary grade levels, according to the most recent WESTEST2 data. “This is great news for Boone County and our school system,” said Boone County Superintendent of Schools John Hudson. “I am proud of all of our schools. Even the schools that were not able to jump over the proficiency bar still showed individual student growth and improvement.” Boone County Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Beck said under “No Child Left Behind” federal standards, proficiency is defined as the number of students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in each subject. “It requires that all students in the country are proficient by 2014,” she explained. “Schools also must meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). More than 60 percent of Boone County schools meet AYP for student achievement this past school year. This is an increase from last year.” Beck said that all parents were to receive WESTEST2 student score reports, along with an explanation letter and brochure on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. This week, the West Virginia Department of Education is launching a new Web site, which will go deeper into student achievement data. “The Web site will feature individual student growth,” Beck said. “As opposed to student proficiency, student academic growth is defined as the change in an individual student’s performance from one year to the next, regardless of proficiency level. The student growth data will allow teachers to personalize learning based on individual student needs. We will not just be looking at how the school does overall, but focusing on individual student needs.” State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorea Marple has focused West Virginia schools on the value of constant improvement and student academic growth, Hudson said. “Dr. Marple acknowledged that meeting Adequate Yearly Progress under No Child Left Behind is a tough task for schools, but indicates that across the state and in Boone County, more students are making the grade,” he said. Marple recently visited several Boone County schools to welcome students back to the new school year and also to offer them a challenge. “She was very impressed with the students, staff and personnel she spoke with and challenged our students to read more outside of the school setting,” Hudson said. “Many students have accepted the challenge to read more at home and outside of school and we are proud of all of our students who have a commitment to learning. Our goal is that all students graduate from high school prepared for college or the work force.” The Web site developed for parents to provide resources that can be used at home to help with more rigorous school work can be found at http://wvde.state.wv.us/parents21 Additional WESTEST2 data can be found online by visiting http://wveis.k12.wv.us/nclb/public12/nclbmenu.cfm