Analysis of 9th Grade Language Skill Deficiencies at Pocahontas County High (circa 2003)

 

Analysis of 9th Grade Language Skill Deficiencies at Pocahontas County High

The sources provide a detailed account of 9th-grade student performance in various Language skills at Pocahontas County High, highlighting areas where they fall short compared to national averages. These deficiencies point to potential areas for improvement in curriculum and instruction.

Punctuation:

• Semicolons: The most glaring deficiency is in using semicolons between independent clauses, with a significant 12-point deficit compared to the national average. This suggests a lack of understanding of how to use this punctuation mark to connect closely related ideas.
• Commas: While 9th graders demonstrated proficiency in basic comma usage, such as with introductory elements, they struggled with commas in compound sentences, showing a 5-point deficit. This indicates a need for further instruction on recognizing the different grammatical structures requiring commas.
• Apostrophes: Another area of concern is using apostrophes with possessives, with a 3-point deficit. This fundamental skill requires more attention to ensure students can accurately convey ownership in their writing.

Sentence Structure:

• Parallel Structure: 9th graders showed a significant deficit of 17 points in using parallel structure. This skill is essential for creating clear and grammatically correct sentences, and the considerable deficit suggests that students struggle with recognizing and applying this concept.
• Run-on Sentences, Fragments, Misplaced Modifiers, Awkward Construction: Deficits were also observed in these areas, ranging from 2 to 8 points below the national average. These errors indicate a lack of understanding of sentence boundaries and proper placement of modifiers, which can lead to confusing and grammatically incorrect writing.

Usage:

• Pronoun Case: A significant deficiency was observed in pronoun case, with a 23-point deficit compared to the national average. This indicates a lack of understanding of how to use the correct pronoun form based on its grammatical function in a sentence.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: 9th graders also struggled with subject-verb agreement, particularly in the context of indefinite pronouns. This suggests a need for more practice in identifying the correct verb form to match the subject, especially in complex sentences.
• Adverb Usage: A 5-point deficit in adverb usage further highlights the need to strengthen students' understanding of grammatical functions and how to use words effectively.

Capitalization and Content & Organization:

• While the sources show areas of strength in capitalization, such as "Direction as Region," "Proper Adjectives," and "Titles of People," there is a lack of specific data regarding deficits in capitalization for 9th grade.
• In "Content & Organization," 9th graders struggled with "Faulty Subordination" and "Sentence Combining." This might suggest difficulty with constructing complex sentences effectively and understanding the nuances of subordination.

Overall:

• 9th-grade language skills at Pocahontas County High require significant attention and improvement. The deficits across punctuation, sentence structure, and usage demonstrate a need for targeted interventions to help students develop a stronger grasp of grammatical concepts and improve their writing accuracy and clarity.
• Further analysis of the curriculum and instructional strategies is needed to identify the root causes of these deficiencies. A focused approach on addressing specific areas of weakness, coupled with ample practice and feedback, will be crucial in helping 9th graders develop the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic pursuits.