New science test results not a shock to CMS superintendent

The state added the science test starting last year. At CMS just 48 percent of CMS fifth and eighth graders passed. Some composites showed pass rates in the single digits at schools with significant numbers of students on free and reduced lunch. At the same time schools with more affluent students had 70 percent or more passing. CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman partially blames mandates such as No Child Left Behind. He says not enough time is spent on elementary science as the district focuses efforts on the two subjects sanctioned by state and federal law: math and reading. He says, "We're fostering that problem to continue where we've got an intensive reading. We said reading comes first and they'll do reading, reading and reading. So we're going to have to play catch up." Gorman says an award-winning science teacher from Myers Park High School was recently appointed to head elementary science in the district. In neighboring counties, 31 percent of fifth and eighth graders passed the new test in Gaston County Schools. In Cabarrus County Schools 48 percent of students passed and in Union County, 47 percent of students passed.