Valley Hears Report On ISTEP Results
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
In a press release from Angela Miller, Tippecanoe Valley Schools curriculum director, all grade levels saw a decline in at least one testing area except for sixth-grade scores that show a 2-percent increase in math and a 6-percent increase in language arts.[[In-content Ad]]Compared to the state average in language arts, TVSC scored below the state's average with the closest score being that of 10th-graders, whose average was a 66 compared to the state's average of 67.
The biggest gap was in seventh grade where middle schoolers scored a 61 compared to the state's 70.
In mathematics, the eighth grade scored above the state's average of 74 with a 78, while 10th-graders score a 68 compared to the state's 66.
Fifth-graders scored a 77 in math, the same as the state's average.
In trend analysis compiled by TVSC, in which the school took scores from students starting in third grade, the school board saw a decline in English/language arts with fourth-graders who are now in sixth grade.
Those students dropped from a score of 79 in fourth grade to 64 in the sixth grade.
Tenth-graders saw an increase in English/language arts from their eighth-grade year as the average score rose from 54 to 66.
Trend analysis for math saw scores remain similar, though there was a drop of ninth-graders from their seventh-grade year where the scores went from a 78 to 69.
During a presentation of statistics, Miller noted a drop in the sixth grade, which is the first year of middle school in the corporation.
Miller also said TVSC needs to better address groups that need to raise their scores rather than working on the same material with an entire class.
Miller said the corporation's two elementary schools, Mentone and Akron, were working with consultants out of Virginia.
"The middle school can benefit from what we've learned," said Miller. "We're thinking too big and we need to target certain groups that need help."
Miller also said in math, students needed more help on multi-step problems.
She said that the gap between students is growing and that the number of "middle kids, kids who score around the state average, is shrinking.
"The middle gap is almost non-existent," said Miller.
"I guess disappointed is the word," said School Board President Mark Wise. "I've never been a big fan of having to have high ISTEP scores, but it is frustrating when we keep improving not to see the gains. It's frustrating sometimes."
School board members asked Miller if they had addressed helping students who have trouble taking tests and have test-taking anxiety.
"We're doing good things but we're not there yet," said Miller.
Assistant Superintendent Brett Boggs echoed Wise's frustration at the numbers.
"We gather a lot of data on our students in addition to ISTEP scores and our kids are learning," said Boggs. "And we know they're learning."
Miller said that the scores also don't reflect the students increased desire to learn.
"More kids love to read," said Miller. "Kids are devouring books."
"Change doesn't happen quickly," said Boggs. "Especially true change."
The board also discussed students who moved into the school district.
"In sixth grade," said Miller, "12 kids who moved in didn't pass so that's a situation."
After Miller's presentation, the board heard from Alan Stewart of A. Hattersley and Sons Inc. about possible renovations at the Burket Learning Center.
A. Hattersley and Sons also worked on renovations that took place at Akron Elementary in 2000.
Stewart did a survey of facilities at no cost to the school.
Among things that Stewart suggested was for the school to go "green" by installing a geo-thermal heating system. Stewart said that the state is offering pollution-reduction grants and that installing a geo-thermal heating system would most likely apply to that.
Stewart also suggested to the board to look into making the Burket school gym into a historical landmark.
Stewart said he called the historical society and that the gym could be put in the registry.
Boggs asked Stewart what a timeline would be if the school decided to begin renovations to the site.
Stewart said that from the time of listing a public notice, the project could be completed in six months with a lot of that time being lead time for things such as windows.
The board also looked at the calender for the 2008-2009 school year.
Currently, the first day of school will be Aug. 15 with the last day being May, 29, 2009, and graduation June 7, 2009.
In other business, the board:
n Recognized Renee Parker, a special education teacher for getting Superior Van and Mobility to donate a conversion van with a new wheelchair lift for one of her students.
n Approved Elisabeth Davidson and Patricia Weitzel as instructional assistants at Akron and Mentone respectively.
n Approved a forestland management agreement with Pike Lumber Co.
n Approved an out-of-state conference for TVSC literacy coaches in Detroit.
n Presented the investment register for 2007.
n Approved a resolution to transfer year-end appropriations.
In a press release from Angela Miller, Tippecanoe Valley Schools curriculum director, all grade levels saw a decline in at least one testing area except for sixth-grade scores that show a 2-percent increase in math and a 6-percent increase in language arts.[[In-content Ad]]Compared to the state average in language arts, TVSC scored below the state's average with the closest score being that of 10th-graders, whose average was a 66 compared to the state's average of 67.
The biggest gap was in seventh grade where middle schoolers scored a 61 compared to the state's 70.
In mathematics, the eighth grade scored above the state's average of 74 with a 78, while 10th-graders score a 68 compared to the state's 66.
Fifth-graders scored a 77 in math, the same as the state's average.
In trend analysis compiled by TVSC, in which the school took scores from students starting in third grade, the school board saw a decline in English/language arts with fourth-graders who are now in sixth grade.
Those students dropped from a score of 79 in fourth grade to 64 in the sixth grade.
Tenth-graders saw an increase in English/language arts from their eighth-grade year as the average score rose from 54 to 66.
Trend analysis for math saw scores remain similar, though there was a drop of ninth-graders from their seventh-grade year where the scores went from a 78 to 69.
During a presentation of statistics, Miller noted a drop in the sixth grade, which is the first year of middle school in the corporation.
Miller also said TVSC needs to better address groups that need to raise their scores rather than working on the same material with an entire class.
Miller said the corporation's two elementary schools, Mentone and Akron, were working with consultants out of Virginia.
"The middle school can benefit from what we've learned," said Miller. "We're thinking too big and we need to target certain groups that need help."
Miller also said in math, students needed more help on multi-step problems.
She said that the gap between students is growing and that the number of "middle kids, kids who score around the state average, is shrinking.
"The middle gap is almost non-existent," said Miller.
"I guess disappointed is the word," said School Board President Mark Wise. "I've never been a big fan of having to have high ISTEP scores, but it is frustrating when we keep improving not to see the gains. It's frustrating sometimes."
School board members asked Miller if they had addressed helping students who have trouble taking tests and have test-taking anxiety.
"We're doing good things but we're not there yet," said Miller.
Assistant Superintendent Brett Boggs echoed Wise's frustration at the numbers.
"We gather a lot of data on our students in addition to ISTEP scores and our kids are learning," said Boggs. "And we know they're learning."
Miller said that the scores also don't reflect the students increased desire to learn.
"More kids love to read," said Miller. "Kids are devouring books."
"Change doesn't happen quickly," said Boggs. "Especially true change."
The board also discussed students who moved into the school district.
"In sixth grade," said Miller, "12 kids who moved in didn't pass so that's a situation."
After Miller's presentation, the board heard from Alan Stewart of A. Hattersley and Sons Inc. about possible renovations at the Burket Learning Center.
A. Hattersley and Sons also worked on renovations that took place at Akron Elementary in 2000.
Stewart did a survey of facilities at no cost to the school.
Among things that Stewart suggested was for the school to go "green" by installing a geo-thermal heating system. Stewart said that the state is offering pollution-reduction grants and that installing a geo-thermal heating system would most likely apply to that.
Stewart also suggested to the board to look into making the Burket school gym into a historical landmark.
Stewart said he called the historical society and that the gym could be put in the registry.
Boggs asked Stewart what a timeline would be if the school decided to begin renovations to the site.
Stewart said that from the time of listing a public notice, the project could be completed in six months with a lot of that time being lead time for things such as windows.
The board also looked at the calender for the 2008-2009 school year.
Currently, the first day of school will be Aug. 15 with the last day being May, 29, 2009, and graduation June 7, 2009.
In other business, the board:
n Recognized Renee Parker, a special education teacher for getting Superior Van and Mobility to donate a conversion van with a new wheelchair lift for one of her students.
n Approved Elisabeth Davidson and Patricia Weitzel as instructional assistants at Akron and Mentone respectively.
n Approved a forestland management agreement with Pike Lumber Co.
n Approved an out-of-state conference for TVSC literacy coaches in Detroit.
n Presented the investment register for 2007.
n Approved a resolution to transfer year-end appropriations.
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