Wawasee Meets ISTEP Goal
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Test results met their 80 percent passing goal in most areas, often exceeding state results by 10 percent or more. A three-year comparison also shows steady improvement for the most part.
The highest passing percentage was seen in fourth- and fifth-grade math, where up to 95 percent of Syracuse and North Webster elementary students passed. That's an improvement of about nine percent over last year and over the state average this year.
Curriculum and Instruction Director Joy Goshert said she hopes the strong showing gets North Webster a higher score in the next Adequate Yearly Progress report from the state, earning more funds for the school.
“They made good gains as a whole, particularly in special education,” she said. “They have a pretty good chance to make AYP.”
A low point was English language arts results for several grades and schools – 62 percent passing for Milford grade five and 64 percent for grade eight. Goshert noted those students took their tests on a computer and writing prompts were released during the test, causing the state to dismiss some results.
The board also learned that Wawasee Middle School, currently undergoing renovation for technology and security, will open on time for the first day of school, Aug. 16. Additions to the high school building, including a workshop area, will not be finished until the end of September.
Wawasee Graduation Coaches Jeff Phillips and Anne Rackley reported on the first year of their program, which saw 31 students receive diplomas out of 38 high school seniors who were at risk of dropping out. They plan to hold more regular meetings with at-risk students next year and hope to work with incoming freshmen, who they said are most likely to drop out.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted a $10,000 donation from the North Webster Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization for the purchase of SMART Boards, bringing North Webster's number of interactive whiteboards in line with the other elementaries; and noted that 15 new teachers will join the corporation this year and begin orientation Aug. 2.[[In-content Ad]]
Test results met their 80 percent passing goal in most areas, often exceeding state results by 10 percent or more. A three-year comparison also shows steady improvement for the most part.
The highest passing percentage was seen in fourth- and fifth-grade math, where up to 95 percent of Syracuse and North Webster elementary students passed. That's an improvement of about nine percent over last year and over the state average this year.
Curriculum and Instruction Director Joy Goshert said she hopes the strong showing gets North Webster a higher score in the next Adequate Yearly Progress report from the state, earning more funds for the school.
“They made good gains as a whole, particularly in special education,” she said. “They have a pretty good chance to make AYP.”
A low point was English language arts results for several grades and schools – 62 percent passing for Milford grade five and 64 percent for grade eight. Goshert noted those students took their tests on a computer and writing prompts were released during the test, causing the state to dismiss some results.
The board also learned that Wawasee Middle School, currently undergoing renovation for technology and security, will open on time for the first day of school, Aug. 16. Additions to the high school building, including a workshop area, will not be finished until the end of September.
Wawasee Graduation Coaches Jeff Phillips and Anne Rackley reported on the first year of their program, which saw 31 students receive diplomas out of 38 high school seniors who were at risk of dropping out. They plan to hold more regular meetings with at-risk students next year and hope to work with incoming freshmen, who they said are most likely to drop out.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted a $10,000 donation from the North Webster Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization for the purchase of SMART Boards, bringing North Webster's number of interactive whiteboards in line with the other elementaries; and noted that 15 new teachers will join the corporation this year and begin orientation Aug. 2.[[In-content Ad]]
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