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District
raises the
bar on progress |
Newberg schools, except for NHS, exceeding expectations
as gauged by yearly ODE report |
By Schellene, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Statewide math scores are up and English and writing scores have stagnated
according to the Adequate Yearly Progress report released recently by the Oregon
Department of Education (ODE).
However, except for the high school, schools are exceeding expectations
in the Newberg School District, according to Dr. Paula Radich, school superintendent.
Newberg High School math scores rose from 58 percent of all students making
bench marks in 2002 to 71 percent in 2003. But English scores stagnated from 52 percent in
2002 to 51 percent in 2003.
Radich said for third-grade reading in 2002, 82 percent of all students were
reading at or above benchmark requirements; this year that number has risen to 86. Jumps
in math scores were more dramatic, with 76 percent making the grade in 2002 and 85 percent
in 2003.
Changes in scores in middle school in the district included going from 63 percent
of all students exceeding standards in 2002 to 70 percent in 2003. Math scores for
students in middle school rose from 58 percent in 2002 to 71 percent in 2003.
Since the preliminary report in August, the school district has been making
changes to improve learning for students, Radich said.
Since many schools failed to make AYP due to low test scores by students with
disabilities and English as a second language, the district is doing everything from
adding more instructors with ESL training to lobbying to make changes in the No Child Left
Behind law, she added.
“We increased staffing level for ESL students,” Radich said. Part
of the work includes looking at the entire issue of Hispanic student achievement,
including recognizing the rising Hispanic student population in Newberg.
For example, she asked, is it appropriate to test students in English who
come in not knowing English? Radich doesn’t think so. “We believe there must be
a minimal cognitive level of understanding,” before students can be tested.
A child enrolled at public school for three years with at least 75 percent
attendance will have a better chance of passing the assessments and meeting AYP. Radich
admits that schools must be held accountable for the students and any progress they may
have made. Currently students are being tested regardless of how long they have been in
school.
“Some children coming to us in the fall, then leave us and come back in
the spring,” she said. In those cases it is inappropriate to indicate the schools
involved are not making AYP. “We have received children this fall that have never
been in our school (but we) are required to test.”
Radich said she has talked it over with other school superintendents and
together they are asking for both a state and government review of the No Child Left
Behind law.
“We also have leadership teams meeting in Salem Dec. 9 and 10,” she
said. The team’s goal is to develop a comprehensive plan for ESL strategies for
teaching and other areas that need improvement.
Students with disabilities are also falling between the cracks in the system.
Often, students with disabilities are sent to one school in the district where the
services made available for them have become centrally located. When students in these
schools, such as NHS, Edwards Elementary and Mountain View Middle School, are tested,
their scores can drive down the entire schools scores to the point of failure.
In addition, errors in the way student attendance is tallied can also effect
scoring. An example is the low attendance factor at MVMS, reported in the preliminary AYP
report. Errors in coding absences at the school lowered the attendance records of
students; now that the numbers in attendance at MVMS have changed, that benchmark has been
met.
According to information provided by the ODE, the differences in the
preliminary reports and the official report released last week are minimal and revealed
that 832 schools in Oregon met AYP goals while 328 are still in need of improvement, 44
schools did not receive ratings and the scores for 12 schools are still pending.
“This report confirms that the majority of our schools are doing an
excellent job of providing Oregon students with a top-notch education,” said state
schools superintendent Susan Castillo in the report. “But what this final report
really demonstrates is our commitment to accountability and to targeting improvement
efforts to the schools that need it most, so that all students have the opportunity to
succeed.” |
|
From Nov. 26,
2003, Newberg Graphic
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