Bryan County Schools got some good news Monday.
The system scored 83.5 out of 100 in the Georgia Department of Education’s 2013 College and Career Ready Performance Index, considerably higher than the state average of 75.8 and better than the district’s 2012 CCRPI score of 82.7.
“We are pleased to see that our elementary and middle school scores are well above the state average. Our scores indicate that we must continue to focus on improvements at all levels,” Bryan County Schools Superintendent Paul Brooksher said.
The CCRPI replaces the No Child Left Behind Act’s Annual Yearly Progress — Georgia was waivered from its requirements by the U.S. Department of Education in 2012. Its scores are based on achievement, closing the achievement gap and students’ progress, among other things.
Graduation percentages, CRCT results and other test scores and social and economic demographics are also factored into the index, which the state says is easier for parents and others interested in education to understand.
Still, a number of schools saw their scores drop from last year and it’s going to take some time for local educators to get used to dealing with the requirements of CCRPI.
“We appreciate an accountability system that utilizes multiple measures of school success,” Assistant Superintendent Brad Anderson said. “(But) there will be a learning curve for educators, parents and community members.”
Anderson, who heads up teaching for the system, said administrators are going over the results to see what they mean.
“We are currently analyzing the data released by the state to ensure accuracy and determine the calculations used to determine points and ratings for each area of the report,” he said. “With a better understanding of the data used and the performance index calculations, we will be able to celebrate our successes and target our challenges which will define our direction as we move forward.”

A look at the scores

How Bryan County Schools fared in 2012/2013

Bryan County Elementary 83/77.4
Bryan County High 70.2/64.4
Bryan County Middle 71.3/61.8
Carver Elementary 91.4/90.7
Lanier Primary 94.5/90.8
Richmond Hill Elementary 92.5/93.9
Richmond Hill High 75.6/80.7
Richmond Hill Middle 84.5/90.4
Richmond Hill Primary 96/95.2

How various systems stacked up in 2013 compared to Bryan County:
Camden 85
Effingham 84
Bryan 83.5
Bulloch 75.4
Liberty 72.6
Chatham 71.3
Tattnall 70.7