PINEVILLE — The Bell County School District saw significant gains in their No Child Left Behind testing scores for this year, and teachers are occupied reviewing the results.

According to a calculation of the transition index by the Council for Better Education, the Kentucky Association of School Councils, and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, all Bell County schools were described as “on track” to reach a 100 transition index. Right Fork, however, exceeded that mark with an index of 102.

“I’m very pleased with the growth of our student performance. I think that’s reflected in the scores,” said Superintendent George Thompson. But he wasn’t surprised by the results. “It doesn’t surprise me. What’s going on in the classrooms is a focus on high quality teaching and learning.”

Thompson said that on Monday morning he met with the teachers to discuss the just-released data.

“I’m so impressed with the teachers and how they are looking at the data,” he said. “They’re using that to inform instruction.”

The Bell County School District elementary, middle, and high school index — as well as the percentages of students scoring proficient/distinguished — were significantly higher than the state averages, according to a press release from the school system. The elementary index in reading, math, and science was 100, 102, and 103 respectively. Marked gains in math and science were evidenced at the middle grades level with reading, social studies, and on-demand writing showing the largest gains at the high school level.

But Right Fork School Center was the true stand-out this year. Thompson said that out of 745 elementary schools in Kentucky, Right Fork was the 42nd highest in the state.

“That’s pretty significant,” said Thompson. He added that Yellow Creek School Center was also over a 100 in their index.

All Bell County elementary schools surpassed the NCLB targets in reading and math with strong increases in the number of students scoring proficient or distinguished. These strong gains were reflected at the district level with record breaking numbers of students meeting the NCLB goals in reading and math, according to the report.

As a district, Bell County Schools improved their average index from 78.34 in 2007 to 89.25, according to Thompson.

“We’re on track to beat 100. I think we’ll do it before 2014,” stated Thompson. He added that a few years ago, reaching 100 was unlikely, but attributed progress to the school board’s actions.

“I give our board a lot of credit,” he said. “With a tight budget, they’ve been proactive in giving teachers the tools they need. They’ve been strategic with funding.”

Thompson said these results were an exhibit of student learning.

“Our kids are elated that they’re showing what they know,” he said.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.