Durham Schools Struggle in State Score Cards

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More than 40% of Durham Public Schools scored in the D range during the 2023-24 academic year, according to test result data released this week by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Dr. Anthony Lewis, just weeks into his new job as DPS superintendent, put a positive spin on the results:

“While today’s data release does not tell our entire story, it does provide impetus for us to continue the important work of educating our students with excellence. Despite the challenges of the previous school year, our scholars and educators made strides. We will continue to focus on providing access and opportunity to all students, which will ultimately address our achievement gap. We will continue to implement proven and innovative teaching and programs that accelerate our students’ academic growth. Our formula for success is outlined in our strategic plan which represents our commitment to academic excellence within a safe and healthy environment and ensuring that exemplary staff are present and remain in every classroom. We will continue to focus on ensuring that every student realizes their full potential in DPS.”

The data showed more than 80% of Durham schools met or exceeded growth targets on North Carolina accountability tests. And five DPS schools ranked among the state’s top schools for overall growth, including:

• J.D. Clement Early College.
• Merrick-Moore Elementary School.
• City of Medicine Academy.
• Sherwood Githens Middle School.
• Carrington Middle School.

Two schools previously listed as low-performing – C.C. Spaulding and Forest View elementary schools – broke free of that label.

But overall grade-level proficiency fell from 47.9% to 47% in the district, year to year.

The state data shows that DPS has three A schools (City of Medicine Academy, J.D. Clement Early College High School, and Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College), 10 B schools, 15 C schools, 23 D schools, and one F school: Lowe’s Grove Middle School.

Durham Public Schools: How They Scored

The North Carolina General Assembly requires that individual schools receive scores for achievement, growth, and performance. Each of those indicators is combined to reach a school performance grade for each academic year.

Under the current performance grade model, schools with a D or F grade that don’t exceed growth expectations are identified as low-performing. Durham schools are expected to hold parent information sessions in the weeks ahead to go over data with families and share plans for improvement.

How Does DPS Compare to Other Districts?

No schools in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools fell below a C, and many of that district’s schools scored a B.

Wake County, which has three times the schools as DPS, had a large proportion of B schools. It has a few F-grade schools, but relative to Durham doesn’t have as many academically struggling schools.

How’s the State Doing?

For the second year running, North Carolina students overall performed better in math between third and eighth grades. Graduation rates increased slightly to 86.9% compared to 86.5% last year.

“The data in the accountability report provides us with a clear picture of what’s going well in our schools and what areas need additional support,” said Catherine Truitt, the state’s superintendent of public instruction. “This year’s data shows us that we’re headed in the right direction in most areas, but that we must remain committed to advocating for additional support for our teachers.”