BROOKHAVEN — LaTronda Gayten, Brookhaven Elementary School principal, reported one of her students exceeded expectations this year. Destin Edwards, a third grader at the school, set a school high test score on the iReady Screener. 

Edwards is a third grader who scored a grade 6, the highest of all 3rd grade students, in reading. His scores surpassed all levels for the 3rd grade in tested subcategories. He surpassed required levels for phonics and high-frequency words, scored a grade 6 on vocabulary and informational text and scored a grade 5 in reading literature.

His teachers described him as an all-around loved student who is respected by his peers, is hardworking and kind. 

“One teacher said that she is blessed to have been part of his educational journey,” Gayten said. “The teacher said he is a perfectionist, always trying his best in all his work. He is also kind and very respectful. Destin is an amazing person and student. He puts 100% into everything he does. He is such a good example to others.” 

Gayten added Destin is an amazing person and student. His stature is one that embodies the Brookhaven Elementary School pledge which states “I am ready to be the best me I can be.” She said he has been that way everyday at Brookhaven Elementary School.

Edwards is the son of Derrick and Cynthia Edwards. His grandparents are Emerson II and Loretta Edwards and the Late Nathaniel and Ave Nell Eley. 

Gayten said reading is Destin’s favorite subject because he enjoys learning new things. He is a member of the school’s 100 AR point club and has earned the “A” honor student recognition. 

“When he grows up he wants to be an astrophysicist because he wants to discover new stars,” Gayten said.

iReady testing 

Gayten explained the primary function and purpose of the iReady assessments are to make appropriate instructional recommendations and placement decisions for students performing at different levels. Once students complete these assessments, their overall and domain level scores are calculated based on the difficulty levels of the items the student received. Information is compared to placement tables. 

Diagnostic placement levels are indicative of a student’s performance based on grade level. Placement levels in iReady reflect what students are expected to know at each grade level and in each content area. Standard settings used to set the scores involved 100 teachers and followed a research based methodology. 

Gayten explained the placement levels allow for a standardized way of describing student performance. With placements, educators can maintain a consistent perspective on placement throughout the school year and better see and understand movement between placements. 

“We are proud of Destin for his recent performance on his iReady Reading Diagnostic,” Gayten said.