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January 6, 2009

Fairview students place high on API exams

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

Each year, public school students are required to take Academic Performance Index (API) exams, and each year Fairview students show high academic performance.

State regulators divide public school systems into five classes, and Fairview Middle School and Fairview High School had the top API scores in their classes, said Fairview Superintendent Rocky Burchfield.

Fairview had a composite score off 1,439 points out of 1,500 possible points. The middle school scored 1,430 and the high school scored 1,417.

Fairview Elementary School also was listed in the top 10 elementary schools in its class with a score of 1,472.

Fairview has a history of high test scores, and the 2008 API scores were even better than last years.

“We do score well on API as well as ACT,” Burchfield said.

He said Fairview’s most recent ACT average was 23.6.

“One of the things in terms of scoring high on the API is we work somewhat diligently to better align what we’re teaching with what’s being evaluated,” Burchfield said.

However, the material taught is not what brings scores up.

“One of the things that is probably most important that we do is there is some tradition and some standard of high expectations,” Burch-field said.

The teachers have high standards and the students respond positively to those standards, he said.

“We’re fortunate we have a good group of kids and supportive parents to boot,” he said.

Burchfield said there may be a day when Fairview is disappointed by test scores, but that day has not come yet.

“The challenges, just like anywhere else in the state, are increasing each year,” he said.

However, Burchfield said he has high hopes for the increased quality of the Oklahoma’s public education.

“There are good things happening across the state in education,” Burchfield said. “People forget to recognize that.”

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