CULLMAN, Ala. – Year-to-year, test scores in Cullman City Schools saw the highest growth percentage of any school system in the state of Alabama from 2021 to 2022.

Cullman City Schools had the highest growth percentage in the state in the latest Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) testing data. City students gained 11.6 percentage points combined and averaged across all subjects. The testing measures the number of students from grade to grade who are proficient in a particular subject.

Cullman students saw the highest percentage increase in mathematics with a 27-percentage point gain among fourth graders. In English Language Arts (ELA), the highest percentage of growth was in fourth grade as well with a 26.5 percentage point gain. In science, fourth grade grew 24.9 percentage points. Across the board, Cullman City Schools students increased their proficiency levels across all subjects and grades.

Cullman students charted above state averages in all categories, with Cullman City Schools ranking ninth   in the state for proficiency across all subjects combined.

“Cullman City teachers, parents and students are committed to becoming one of the best systems in Alabama. Our teachers provide instruction to students that is centered around our rigorous state standards,” Emily Hines, Cullman City Schools elementary curriculum and federal programs coordinator said. “They have implemented a new math program, attended professional development, and implemented many strategies to help improve students’ number sense and critical thinking skills. Cullman City Schools has also used ESSER funds to put a Math Coach in every elementary school. These experts have provided coaching cycle support and hands-on professional development in our classrooms to improve teacher and student mathematical knowledge.”

Lindsay Brannon, secondary curriculum and CTE coordinator, noted one of the impactful new strategies the system implemented was “number talks.” Number talks allow students to understand the why, the reasoning and the application behind math standards.

“The new math standards are rigorous, which match the rigor of ACAP. We supplement our math program where needed to make sure our students are receiving the instruction and intervention needed to keep up with the rigor of the standards,” Brannon said. “We implemented an ACAP assurance process last year to assure we were covering all ACAP tested standards before April and allowing time for review of standards with which our students may have not performed as well.”

Hines noted the improvement in ACAP scores year to year represents the tenacity of the system’s exceptional students, community support and a commitment from educators at every level in Cullman City Schools.

“These scores provide evidence and affirmation that Cullman City Schools teachers, parents and students are making the right decisions when it comes to implementation of curriculum and instructional strategies used in classrooms and at home,” she added.