DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, schools in the state of Alabama participated in a benchmark for a brand new standardized test known as the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, or ACAP.

This test is designed to provide information about what 2nd grade – 8th grade students know in core areas like math and reading.

As Houston County Schools Superintendent, Brandy White says they were above average in some areas but below average in others.

“We looked pretty good compared to the state averages in most areas,” White said. “We had a few low areas that were of some concern specifically math in 7th and 8th grade. So we are looking at that specifically to see what we need to do.”

Back in May, Governor Kay Ivey vetoed a bill that would delay next year’s promotion requirement to hold back 3rd graders who are not reading on a certain grade level.

But according to White, the 2nd and 3rd grade reading scores were well above state average in Houston County Schools.

“We were very pleased with the reading scores, that was one of the areas we were much higher than the state average in 2nd and 3rd grade,” White said.

In effort to improve test scores, White is implementing new strategies the he hopes will help all his students.

“This year we’ve done a huge technology roll out,” White said. “We have chrome books and we’ve implemented certain programs that will help the kids. We’ve also hired tutors to come into the classrooms and help those students. And we have a new curriculum this year that is suppose to match those state standards.”