Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ISTEP testing is over for good for more than half of the class of 2000.
According to figures released Friday by the State Department of Education, 54 percent of Indiana's high school sophomores passed both sections of the ISTEP test on their first attempt.
The class of 2000 is the first to take the ISTEP+ high school graduation qualifying exam, which evaluates a student's essential math and English skills. Students must pass both sections of the test to qualify for a high school diploma.
Statewide, 30 percent of sophomores did not meet the language arts standard, while 42 percent were below the math standard.
Students in Kosciusko County were at or above the state averages on the test (see graph).
Some officials expressed concerns in September that students would not take the graduation exam seriously, but area educators believe this was not the case.
"We're very pleased with the effort that parents did in preparing students, and with the overall effort our students had," said Karen Shelley, of Tippecanoe Valley Schools.
"The kids were certainly prepared," said Triton superintendent Rex Roth. "There was enough information out about the seriousness of the test and its long-term impact."
Roth said the applications-oriented test is "much more comprehensive" than the previous ISTEP, and "once kids get used to that type of testing format they tend to get better."
Warsaw assistant superintendent Tony Etienne said some students who didn't pass have not been exposed to some of the math concepts on the test. He said Warsaw students did better than administrators' expectations.
Warsaw superintendent Lee Harman said this year's test will serve as a "wake-up call" for students who are not taking school seriously. "Hopefully there are some kids who didn't qualify who'll stop and realize that it's time to get serious about school," he said.
Sophomores who did not meet the proficiencies have four opportunities to retake the test. Once a student passes a section he does not have to take it again.
With the inaugural ISTEP+ behind them, educators must focus upon remediation for students who did not meet the standards.
At Wawasee, remediation for the class of 2000 began two years ago. Students who did not meet the proficiencies of the ISTEP test as eighth-graders were targeted for help as freshmen and through this year.
Most schools invited parents of students who didn't qualify to meet with teachers about how they can help their children. Schools also plan to offer before- and after-school programs, special summer sessions and even help during school.
A large part of remediation may come in changes schools make to their curriculum.
"We're certainly going to have to take a look at what we're doing - how we match up against the proficiencies," Roth said.
"We know the state wants students to be proficient in certain essential skills," said Whitko director of curriculum Diana Showalter. "We want to be sure our curriculum is aligned with those essential skills."
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed said Friday that for the 46 percent of students who failed either the language arts or math portions, or both, the results should serve as an incentive.
'I think something of that sort should spark more interest' in education, she said during a news conference. 'We have to make sure our students understand that these things are things they'll need for a lifetime.'
Whitko superintendent Bill Worl echoed that sentiment. The test, he said, will "cause us to take a better look at our curriculum - how we're preparing (students) to go out into the work force or on to higher education."
