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District posts modest proficiency gains; several schools move out of low-performing status
Summary
Harnett County Schools’ accountability presentation showed a districtwide proficiency increase from 42.1% to 42.6% with notable math gains in grades 3–8 and a reduction in the number of schools labeled low performing from 16 of 25 to 14 of 26.
Curriculum and instruction leaders presented the 2023–24 school performance grades and highlighted modest districtwide gains. "Harnett County Schools made gains in math 3 through 8 at both college and career ready and grade level performance levels," C&I Director Brookie Ferguson said, noting a 9.5 percentage-point jump in grade 6 math and a 3.2-point increase in grade 5 math.
Ferguson walked the board through school-level examples: several elementary schools moved from D or F grades to C or B ranges due to achievement and growth improvements; Harnett Early College moved to an A. She emphasized subgroup progress — Hispanic and Black students showed gains in multiple grades — while acknowledging declines in some reading and 8th-grade science areas. The district’s composite proficiency rose from 42.1% to 42.6% and the 4-year graduation rate stood at 85.9% (5-year 87.2%).
The board discussed using local walk-through data (the "bull's eye" tool) more constructively to support principals and teachers and the limits of the state's proprietary growth algorithm when interpreting results. Ferguson said the district will continue targeted instructional coaching, common formative assessments and monitoring to support schools with the largest needs.
