Cumberland County Schools report small district score dip, 27 schools now labeled low-performing

Cumberland County Schools reported a slight decline in its statewide accountability composite and a rise in the number of schools designated low-performing, prompting public concern and board questions about sustained improvement plans.

Superintendent Dr. Bracey said the district—omposite score fell from 50.9 to 50.8 this year and acknowledged an increased number of schools on the state's low-performing list. "Let me be clear. This is not where we want to be, and it is not where we will stay," she said.

Kim Nash, a district staff member who presented the data, described how the North Carolina accountability model weights achievement and growth, and she reviewed subgroup and grade-level results that underlie the system's school performance grades. The presentation said 78% of schools met or exceeded growth and highlighted pockets of substantial gains at individual schools while noting declines in some subject areas and subgroups.

Key figures presented by Nash and discussed at the meeting included: the district composite falling from 50.9 to 50.8; 27 schools designated as low-performing under the state's criteria; 48.7% of schools that…