Whitko Sees Room For Improvement In ISTEPS

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

PIERCETON - Whitko Schools' ISTEP scores were released last night and no one was particularly pleased with the results.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hendrix said the scores were "okay."

The current sophomore class scored the highest with 83 percent in English and language arts and 79 percent in mathematics.

Principal Parrish Kruger said this class's general education students scored 91 percent in language arts; 86 percent in English and 84 percent in math.

Scores from special education students lower the results of their peers. The 10th grade's special education scores were 19 percent in language arts and 38 percent in mathematics.

The 9th-grade class scores were: English/language arts - 73 percent; math - 72 percent.

The eighth-graders' results were: English/language arts - 68 percent; math - 66 percent.

Seventh-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 69 percent; math - 79 percent and science - 64 percent.

Sixth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 76 percent; math - 80 percent.

Fifth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 68 percent; math - 68 percent and science - 58 percent.

Fourth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 74 percent; math - 75 percent.

Third-graders' scores were English/language arts - 71 percent; math - 79 percent.

The Indiana Department of Education's data has not been posted.

Hendrix said the goal is to compare how much better or worse the classes were from year to year and not compare Whitko students to state results or to other school districts.

Pierceton Elementary School Principal Ruth Jones said one special education student can represent a 1-1/2 percent change in the score.

The graduation rate for the 2007 class has been set at 78 percent, although Kruger said it is closer to 80 percent. The state average is 76 percent.

When this year's seniors entered the high school as freshmen, the number of students for that class was established. Formal dropouts, students who move, early graduates and fifth-year seniors count for or against the graduation rate.

The board heard from Beverly Dierks, who expressed concerns with the school bus route around South Whitley Elementary School.

Dierks said she has two children at SWES and suggested the busses travel north of the "island" by the school.

Board President Hal Trump said the route has been carefully studied for years and the current path is designed to protect riding and students who walk to school.

The board also:

• Enjoyed desserts and treats made by high school culinary arts students Victoria Larson, Andrea Morales, Wendy Shepherd and Veronica Jersey.

Teacher Diane Ciolli said the students plan to establish the Blue Avenue Bakery. which will offer pastries and other goods for sale.

Whitko school board members are Trump, Pete Mitchell, Deb Collier, Tranter and Mike Braddock. [[In-content Ad]]

PIERCETON - Whitko Schools' ISTEP scores were released last night and no one was particularly pleased with the results.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hendrix said the scores were "okay."

The current sophomore class scored the highest with 83 percent in English and language arts and 79 percent in mathematics.

Principal Parrish Kruger said this class's general education students scored 91 percent in language arts; 86 percent in English and 84 percent in math.

Scores from special education students lower the results of their peers. The 10th grade's special education scores were 19 percent in language arts and 38 percent in mathematics.

The 9th-grade class scores were: English/language arts - 73 percent; math - 72 percent.

The eighth-graders' results were: English/language arts - 68 percent; math - 66 percent.

Seventh-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 69 percent; math - 79 percent and science - 64 percent.

Sixth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 76 percent; math - 80 percent.

Fifth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 68 percent; math - 68 percent and science - 58 percent.

Fourth-graders' scores were: English/language arts - 74 percent; math - 75 percent.

Third-graders' scores were English/language arts - 71 percent; math - 79 percent.

The Indiana Department of Education's data has not been posted.

Hendrix said the goal is to compare how much better or worse the classes were from year to year and not compare Whitko students to state results or to other school districts.

Pierceton Elementary School Principal Ruth Jones said one special education student can represent a 1-1/2 percent change in the score.

The graduation rate for the 2007 class has been set at 78 percent, although Kruger said it is closer to 80 percent. The state average is 76 percent.

When this year's seniors entered the high school as freshmen, the number of students for that class was established. Formal dropouts, students who move, early graduates and fifth-year seniors count for or against the graduation rate.

The board heard from Beverly Dierks, who expressed concerns with the school bus route around South Whitley Elementary School.

Dierks said she has two children at SWES and suggested the busses travel north of the "island" by the school.

Board President Hal Trump said the route has been carefully studied for years and the current path is designed to protect riding and students who walk to school.

The board also:

• Enjoyed desserts and treats made by high school culinary arts students Victoria Larson, Andrea Morales, Wendy Shepherd and Veronica Jersey.

Teacher Diane Ciolli said the students plan to establish the Blue Avenue Bakery. which will offer pastries and other goods for sale.

Whitko school board members are Trump, Pete Mitchell, Deb Collier, Tranter and Mike Braddock. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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