Whitko Hears Report On Students' Test Scores
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
PIERCETON -ÊHow well students do on the Scholastic Aptitude Test depends on the day and the students, Whitko School Corp. Director of Curriculum Diana Showalter told the school board Monday.
Students often take the PSAT as sophomores and juniors and then the SAT two or three times before graduation to get the best scores, she said.
During the past five years, Showalter said, Whitko's scores are comparable to other area schools of the same size.
For the 2000-01 school year, Whitko's SAT average was 991. Warsaw's was 1,000 and Manchester's was 990.
"We're right in the ballpark," she said.
The school corporation, she said, is trying to encourage students to take more challenging courses so they'll get better scores on the SATs. However, some students don't want to do that because harder courses may hurt their grade point averages.
Board member Larry Long said students who don't take more challenging courses so as to not hurt their GPA aren't always prepared for college.
Hal Trump, board member, asked if there was a class for SAT or if there would be any student interest in that course.
Because the school corporation could not give credit for such a class, Showalter said, there probably would not be any interest.
Dave Tranter, board member, asked Showalter, superintendent Dr. William Worl and high school principal Larry Stoner to look into an SAT class.
Showalter then gave a brief presentation on "Students Meeting Indiana Academic Standards 2000."
The presentation was already presented to teachers at all the schools on what the new laws regarding public education will require.
Ultimately, Showalter said, they want 100 percent of the students to meet the standards. To start, she said, they know they have to be at 60 percent and "we're not there yet."
The goal is continuous improvement in student learning, student scores, motivation and attendance.
"We're in a new ball game. It's 'no excuses' education," she said. "... We can improve. It's going to take everyone's effort."
If the school system doesn't improve over time, she said, the state can send in a team to improve the school corporation's standards or even break up the school corporation. "I don't know if they'll do that but it is a valid threat," Showalter said.
As long as the school corporation tries to make progress, she said, she thinks they'll be OK.
Gina Borton, South Whitley Elementary School teacher, also gave a presentation to the school board. She spoke on National Board Certification.
She said when she talks to people about National Board Certification, many don't know what it is.
National boards certify teachers in 20 areas. As part of the certification process, Borton has to submit portfolios, videotapes of her teaching and other documents.
Her portfolio is due March 15 and she has to go to a testing center to be tested in different areas. For the portfolio alone, Borton said, it takes 200 to 400 hours.
In Indiana, there are only 75 teachers certified and zero at Whitko.
What national certification gives a teacher in Indiana is a 10-year license certification renewal. Other states offer teachers financial incentives to become nationally certified.
Cost for a candidate is approximately $2,300 whether they pass or not. Borton said she received a grant to help pay for her national boards.
"I'm trying to bolster some interest in other teachers," Borton said.
Of the teachers who take the National Boards, only about 50 percent are successful on the first try.
Borton will find out June 30 whether or not she passed the National Boards.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved the renovation project invoices.
In addition, the school board approved including $5,000 each for the band and choir.
• Approved grant applications to the Dekko Foundation and the Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Education totaling $2,500.
• Approved the receipt of grant monies from the Dekko Foundation, Whitley County Community Foundation and the South Whitley Community Facilities Inc. totaling $11,022.63.
• Approved the donation of nine books to the Pierceton Elementary Library from the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau.
The next school board meeting will be Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Board members are Larry Long, Hal Trump, Deborah Collier, Dave Tranter and Michael Braddock. [[In-content Ad]]
PIERCETON -ÊHow well students do on the Scholastic Aptitude Test depends on the day and the students, Whitko School Corp. Director of Curriculum Diana Showalter told the school board Monday.
Students often take the PSAT as sophomores and juniors and then the SAT two or three times before graduation to get the best scores, she said.
During the past five years, Showalter said, Whitko's scores are comparable to other area schools of the same size.
For the 2000-01 school year, Whitko's SAT average was 991. Warsaw's was 1,000 and Manchester's was 990.
"We're right in the ballpark," she said.
The school corporation, she said, is trying to encourage students to take more challenging courses so they'll get better scores on the SATs. However, some students don't want to do that because harder courses may hurt their grade point averages.
Board member Larry Long said students who don't take more challenging courses so as to not hurt their GPA aren't always prepared for college.
Hal Trump, board member, asked if there was a class for SAT or if there would be any student interest in that course.
Because the school corporation could not give credit for such a class, Showalter said, there probably would not be any interest.
Dave Tranter, board member, asked Showalter, superintendent Dr. William Worl and high school principal Larry Stoner to look into an SAT class.
Showalter then gave a brief presentation on "Students Meeting Indiana Academic Standards 2000."
The presentation was already presented to teachers at all the schools on what the new laws regarding public education will require.
Ultimately, Showalter said, they want 100 percent of the students to meet the standards. To start, she said, they know they have to be at 60 percent and "we're not there yet."
The goal is continuous improvement in student learning, student scores, motivation and attendance.
"We're in a new ball game. It's 'no excuses' education," she said. "... We can improve. It's going to take everyone's effort."
If the school system doesn't improve over time, she said, the state can send in a team to improve the school corporation's standards or even break up the school corporation. "I don't know if they'll do that but it is a valid threat," Showalter said.
As long as the school corporation tries to make progress, she said, she thinks they'll be OK.
Gina Borton, South Whitley Elementary School teacher, also gave a presentation to the school board. She spoke on National Board Certification.
She said when she talks to people about National Board Certification, many don't know what it is.
National boards certify teachers in 20 areas. As part of the certification process, Borton has to submit portfolios, videotapes of her teaching and other documents.
Her portfolio is due March 15 and she has to go to a testing center to be tested in different areas. For the portfolio alone, Borton said, it takes 200 to 400 hours.
In Indiana, there are only 75 teachers certified and zero at Whitko.
What national certification gives a teacher in Indiana is a 10-year license certification renewal. Other states offer teachers financial incentives to become nationally certified.
Cost for a candidate is approximately $2,300 whether they pass or not. Borton said she received a grant to help pay for her national boards.
"I'm trying to bolster some interest in other teachers," Borton said.
Of the teachers who take the National Boards, only about 50 percent are successful on the first try.
Borton will find out June 30 whether or not she passed the National Boards.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved the renovation project invoices.
In addition, the school board approved including $5,000 each for the band and choir.
• Approved grant applications to the Dekko Foundation and the Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Education totaling $2,500.
• Approved the receipt of grant monies from the Dekko Foundation, Whitley County Community Foundation and the South Whitley Community Facilities Inc. totaling $11,022.63.
• Approved the donation of nine books to the Pierceton Elementary Library from the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau.
The next school board meeting will be Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Board members are Larry Long, Hal Trump, Deborah Collier, Dave Tranter and Michael Braddock. [[In-content Ad]]