During the September 9, 2024, board meeting, Pryor Public Schools' academic progress and teaching initiatives took center stage. Dr. Tiffany Ballard, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, alongside Kristen Graves, Director of Teaching and Learning, updated the Board members on the district's strong academic performance and ongoing efforts to support teachers in the classroom.
“I’m so excited to share what our testing results show,” Dr. Ballard stated, highlighting notable improvements in student performance. The recent testing data reveals a positive trend in academics, with Pryor students showing significant growth and outpacing state averages in several key areas.
According to Dr. Ballard, PPS students have consistently exceeded the state average in math since 2021. Additionally, English Language Arts (ELA) scores indicate a narrowing gap between district and state performance, with Pryor students showing a faster ELA growth rate than the state average.
ACT scores further reinforce this positive trend, with the district achieving its highest ACT, reading, and English scores in five years. All subject areas covered by the ACT exam are showing upward trends for Pryor students.
Beyond standardized test scores, other indicators of academic success are emerging. More students are taking Advanced Placement exams, and a growing number of them are achieving scores of 3 or higher, which may earn them college credit. The district is also seeing academic growth in other areas and significant strides in language skills acquisition.
In addition to student achievements, the district is focusing on empowering teachers. Graves shared several initiatives designed to maximize instructional effectiveness, including new professional development opportunities, instructional rounds, and the creation of a one-stop-shop learning hub for resources.
With these combined efforts, Pryor Public Schools continues to build on its strong foundation of academic growth, providing quality education for all students and supporting its dedicated teachers.