ISTEP Controversy Discussed At Wawasee
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
In a letter from the Wawasee Community Educator's Association, B.J. Roberts said, in part, "I must admit that last Tuesday, March 2nd, is a day that will long live in the psyche of many Indiana school students and staff ... I think we were in shock. (Teachers') response to the test was this isn't what we prepared our students to take. I cannot understand why the state of Indiana would create a test that does not meet basic testing guidelines.
"I know how frustrated our students were at the end of the first day of testing. By Wednesday morning, I was hearing from other school corporations across the state of Indiana. By Wednesday afternoon, I started ISTEP Plus makeup testing.
"Is it possible that ... the test is more defined by political goals than educational goals? ...An ISTEP test should never be used as a political ploy at the expense of our students."[[In-content Ad]]The letter was received with almost unanimous agreement by those in attendance. The letter will be sent on to state education officials.
The subject of ISTEP was brought up again with the announcement that part two of the spring 2009 ISTEP Plus tests will be given April 27 to May 6.
A presentation regarding full-day kindergarten was presented to the board by several of the corporation's kindergarten teachers. A comparison of the half-day program and the full-day program was part of the presentation.
The half-day program is 2 hours and 20 minutes per day. Students also have a 20-30 minute period, two to three times per week, for physical education, art or music. Students also are allowed to use the computer lab at least once a week.
By comparison, the full-day program has students in school for 6 hours and 40 minutes. Of that day, they have a daily 40 minute special that provides art, music, and physical education. Lunch is 30 minutes, recess is 30 minutes, and access to the computer lab is one day per week.
It was noted by several of the teachers who spoke that the kindergarten students who are accepted to the full-day program experience more instruction time from teachers, are provided more stability than day care, and given the chance to interact with others their own age in projects and crafts designed to help them in grade school. It was also noted that by attending the full-day program, students have less trouble transitioning to first grade, and the instructional rigor is more manageable with a full day.
Areas of concern from both teachers and parents are the cost, the way of selecting students because some kindergartners actually might not be ready for a full day, plus class size. The overall consensus, however, was that the full-day program does provide a better foundation for the adjustment to grade school.
In personnel matters, the board approved the following individuals for employment with the corporation: Alena Adamaitis, seven-hour ISTEP remediation paraprofessional, WHS; Dale Bice, regular route bus driver, Milford School; Bob Lahrman, regular route, Syracuse Elementary; Ryan Engelberth, Title 1 family involvement paraprofessional, North Webster Elementary; Ron Hensley, bus driver, North Webster Elementary; Brian Taylor, head custodian, Syracuse Elementary; Kris Woodard, temporary five-hour kindergarten paraprofessional, North Webster Elementary; Rebecca Dingeldein, temporary half-time kindergarten teacher, Milford School; and Leola Nelson, second shift custodian, Milford School.
Mary Juillerat retired as bus driver; Travis Gaby retired as custodian at Milford School; Kristin Schuh resigned from the WHS cafeteria; and Jeff Spicher resigned his position at WHS as an ISTEP remediation paraprofessional.
Alan Frank, assistant principal at WHS, submitted his request to retire at the end of his 2008-2009 school year contract.
Phil Metcalf and Shannon Fry presented a presentation on the Dual Credit program to be offered at WHS. This will affect next year's graduating class.
Wawasee board members are George Gilbert, Rebecca Linnemeier, Dallas Winchester, Mike Wilson and Mary Louise Dixon.
In a letter from the Wawasee Community Educator's Association, B.J. Roberts said, in part, "I must admit that last Tuesday, March 2nd, is a day that will long live in the psyche of many Indiana school students and staff ... I think we were in shock. (Teachers') response to the test was this isn't what we prepared our students to take. I cannot understand why the state of Indiana would create a test that does not meet basic testing guidelines.
"I know how frustrated our students were at the end of the first day of testing. By Wednesday morning, I was hearing from other school corporations across the state of Indiana. By Wednesday afternoon, I started ISTEP Plus makeup testing.
"Is it possible that ... the test is more defined by political goals than educational goals? ...An ISTEP test should never be used as a political ploy at the expense of our students."[[In-content Ad]]The letter was received with almost unanimous agreement by those in attendance. The letter will be sent on to state education officials.
The subject of ISTEP was brought up again with the announcement that part two of the spring 2009 ISTEP Plus tests will be given April 27 to May 6.
A presentation regarding full-day kindergarten was presented to the board by several of the corporation's kindergarten teachers. A comparison of the half-day program and the full-day program was part of the presentation.
The half-day program is 2 hours and 20 minutes per day. Students also have a 20-30 minute period, two to three times per week, for physical education, art or music. Students also are allowed to use the computer lab at least once a week.
By comparison, the full-day program has students in school for 6 hours and 40 minutes. Of that day, they have a daily 40 minute special that provides art, music, and physical education. Lunch is 30 minutes, recess is 30 minutes, and access to the computer lab is one day per week.
It was noted by several of the teachers who spoke that the kindergarten students who are accepted to the full-day program experience more instruction time from teachers, are provided more stability than day care, and given the chance to interact with others their own age in projects and crafts designed to help them in grade school. It was also noted that by attending the full-day program, students have less trouble transitioning to first grade, and the instructional rigor is more manageable with a full day.
Areas of concern from both teachers and parents are the cost, the way of selecting students because some kindergartners actually might not be ready for a full day, plus class size. The overall consensus, however, was that the full-day program does provide a better foundation for the adjustment to grade school.
In personnel matters, the board approved the following individuals for employment with the corporation: Alena Adamaitis, seven-hour ISTEP remediation paraprofessional, WHS; Dale Bice, regular route bus driver, Milford School; Bob Lahrman, regular route, Syracuse Elementary; Ryan Engelberth, Title 1 family involvement paraprofessional, North Webster Elementary; Ron Hensley, bus driver, North Webster Elementary; Brian Taylor, head custodian, Syracuse Elementary; Kris Woodard, temporary five-hour kindergarten paraprofessional, North Webster Elementary; Rebecca Dingeldein, temporary half-time kindergarten teacher, Milford School; and Leola Nelson, second shift custodian, Milford School.
Mary Juillerat retired as bus driver; Travis Gaby retired as custodian at Milford School; Kristin Schuh resigned from the WHS cafeteria; and Jeff Spicher resigned his position at WHS as an ISTEP remediation paraprofessional.
Alan Frank, assistant principal at WHS, submitted his request to retire at the end of his 2008-2009 school year contract.
Phil Metcalf and Shannon Fry presented a presentation on the Dual Credit program to be offered at WHS. This will affect next year's graduating class.
Wawasee board members are George Gilbert, Rebecca Linnemeier, Dallas Winchester, Mike Wilson and Mary Louise Dixon.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092