Chesterfield scored above state averages on all but one of the elementary and middle school tests. The grade five reading pass rate was 79.4 percent compared to the state average of 81. Richmond pupils still struggle with reading and math. Less than half of third-graders passed the English tests. But, eighth-graders improved in math and made gains of at least 5 points in writing and reading.
New initiatives are in place.
This year middle school pupils will have daily reading instruction and the elementary reading program has been refocused, Williams said. I students up to two years to complete the course, he said. Three city schools met the eventual accreditation mark with the remainder accredited with warning. Last year world history II was the only high school exam below the state average. In the spring, Chesterfield officials estimated that 20 of their schools might have met the accreditation mark but the state accreditation information has not been released.