Four Allegheny County school districts fall below mark Aug 14, 2008
AYP is based on the results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests given in math and reading in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 as well as attendance and graduation standards. More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Sentinel Morning Update: COG officials want change in Prevailing Wage Act Aug 13, 2008
It includes district goals in the areas of academic standards and assessments, educational technology, professional development, teacher induction, student services and a separate special education report ... The plan also requires at least 95 percent of eligible students to participate in state-wide assessments ... The latest business plan for a proposed Downtown Improvement District in Carlisle will feature a multi-tiered system of assessment spread over a broader geographic area. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
LISD remains academically acceptable Aug 9, 2008
Penny Reddell, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment services, said the district was hopeful it would reach recognized status and was just points away from doing so. The ratings are based on Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test scores, both regular, accommodated, as well as completion rate for ninth- through 12th-graders and annual dropout rate ... In the past, Special Education students had a State-Developed Alternative Assessment II (SDAA II) test. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Statements issued by SC and interim superintendent Aug 9, 2008
The School Committee agrees with this assessment. It would be ill-advised for the School Committee to comment publicly on the nature of these improprieties while the litigation is ongoing. (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Superintendent, school board put personalities to the test Aug 8, 2008
reasonable1 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:02 AM:" I can't decide if I find this more offensive or pointless. Any valid assessment of personality should be treated similarly to medical records: Need-to-know only. What if it came back "Serial killer ... readerone wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:16 AM:" Settle down UN -reasonable1. These personality tests are just self and peer assessments. They arent comprehensive, life assessment tools. They arent forensic personality assessment tools.They serve only as a tool... (Longview Daily News, WA)
NCLB results show local schools strong Aug 7, 2008
Calloway District Assessment Coordinator Randy McCallon said as Calloway has moved forward in overall achievement, focus will be made on the disability category. I feel very confident that we have moved forward in overall achievement when all students are considered. (Murray Ledger & Times, KY)
THS rated academically unacceptable Aug 6, 2008
The ratings are based on the results of the 2008 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills standardized test. Results for THS this year report low scores in the mathematics section of the exam for ninth- and 10th-graders. (Taylor Daily Press, TX)
Special ed stumble in quest to meet standards Aug 6, 2008
Mr. Roosevelt released some Pennsylvania System of School Assessment data June 26, saying the district had made substantial progress in most areas of the tests, which measure math and reading ability of students in grade 11 and grades three through eight. Last night's presentation included additional details, such as how close the district evidently came to meeting the federal standards. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Test scores disappointing to District 9-R Jul 31, 2008
The Colorado Department of Education released results Tuesday from the Colorado Student Assessment Program, a battery of tests given annually to students in third through 10th grade. The tests in reading, writing, math and science are a central component of the state's No Child Left Behind program. (Durango Herald)
Student test scores moving in positive direction Jul 31, 2008
After the School District of Chetek's disappointing results for test scores last year, especially in math, the hard work of teachers and school officials has paid off with the newest batch of the Wisconsin Student Assessment System results. Though even with the positive review, the school district will need to focus on language arts in the coming year. (Chetek Alert, WI)
Casper briefs Jul 31, 2008
The Wyoming Medical Center's staff and the Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine Institute for the second time in two years received national recognition from the American Heart Association for its protocols for timely assessment, diagnosis and treatment for strokes, according to a news release. The hospital received the "Silver Performance Achievement Award" as part of a quality improvement program for providing stroke care consistent with the most recent scientific guidelines and evidence-based... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Kauai schools aim to improve student readiness ... County manager option won’t be on ballot ... Burial hearing set ... Community college opens One Stop Center ... Interns gain real-life experience in county program ... Chamber hosts Kauai representatives ... Happy Camper ... Arrest Log ... Corrections ... The five o’clock recipe ... ';var marqueewidth="408px";var marqueeheight="25px";var marqueebgcolor="#white";////NO NEED TO EDIT BELOW THIS LINE////////////var pauseit=1;var marqueespeed=1 //slow speed down by 1 for NSvar copyspeed=marqueespeedvar pausespeed=(pauseit==0)? copyspeed: 0var iedom=document.all||document.getElementByIdif (iedom)document.write(''+marqueecontent+'')var actualwidth=''var cross_marquee, ns_marqueefunction populate(){if (iedom){cross_marquee=document.getElementById? document.getElementById("iemarquee") : document.all.iemarqueecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"cross_marquee.innerHTML=marqueecontentactualwidth=document.all? temp.offsetWidth : document.getElementById("temp").offsetWidth}else if (document.layers){ns_marquee=document.ns_marquee.document.ns_marquee2ns_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8ns_marquee.document.write(marqueecontent)ns_marquee.document.close()actualwidth=ns_marquee.document.width}lefttime=setInterval("scrollmarquee()",20)}window.onload=populate;function scrollmarquee(){if (iedom){if (parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))cross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)-copyspeed+"px"elsecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"}else if (document.layers){if (ns_marquee.left>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))ns_marquee.left-=copyspeedelsens_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8}}if (iedom||document.layers){with (document){document.write('')if (iedom){write('')write('')write('')write('')}else if (document.layers){write('')write('')write('')}document.write('')}} Koloa School’s Leila Kobayashi walks with students Makana Lindsey, Nika Tapucol, Kailene Nance and Jaya Lynne Ruiz-Acantilado past a sign touting the school’s accomplishment with the AYP testing.Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island KAUAI NEWS Kauai schools aim to improve student readinessAs Kauai public schools welcomed back students yesterday, Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki said this year he’s stressing student readiness, public confidence and leadership for the island’s schools.More of this story Jul 30, 2008
Statewide, 60 percent of Hawaii s public schools did not meet No Child Left Behind benchmarks based on Hawaii State Assessment tests. Performance among Hawaii s public high schools was even worse, with 88 percent of the 42 schools coming up short. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Autrey chosen as new leader at GHS Jul 29, 2008
For students planning to go to college, there will be a college assessment. For students planning to go right to a job, there will be a career/workplace assessment. (Grants Cibola County Beacon, NM)
More of this story... Jul 24, 2008
SSIDs will eventually be tracked through the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, or CALPADS, which will maintain longitudinal, individual student-level data including student demographics, program participation, grade level, enrollment, course enrollment and completion, discipline, state assessment, teacher assignment, and other data required to meet state and federal reporting requirements. CALPADS is scheduled to be fully implemented with all districts in the 2009-10 school... (The Exeter Sun, CA)
Area high schools offer students options Jul 18, 2008
According to the No Child Left Behind law, all schools are required to give student assessment tests and track progress. Reports on those tests, as well as school statistics in Kansas, can be found on the state's Report Card. (Leavenworth Lamp, KS)
Post a comment Jul 16, 2008
According to NYSED, emergent persistent problem behaviors are to be dealt with as soon as possible with a functional behavior assessment and a related positive behavior intervention plan ... The mal-behavior should have been addressed with a functional behavior assessment and related behavior plan ... (Courtesy of Pearson Assessment) A symbol of health and longevity, the giant Yangtze soft-shell turtle is on the verge of extinction. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Calm down or else Jul 15, 2008
(Courtesy of Pearson Assessment) A symbol of health and longevity, the giant Yangtze soft-shell turtle is on the verge of extinction. An interview with Rolake Odetoyinbo who is HIV positive, on her decision to have a child. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Kennedy Behavior Analysis Clinic lowers minimum age requirement to 3 years Jul 15, 2008
Parents, or other care providers, and their child visit the clinic for an initial functional behavior assessment. During a second visit, families work with clinic staff to develop and refine a behavior intervention plan that is individually tailored to the needs of the child. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
Education Outcomes in Florida Jul 14, 2008
In the simplest possible terms, Jeb Bush s A+ plan relies on the results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and establishes consequences for public schools whose students fail to attain an acceptable level of achievement. The writing test is administered in February and the reading, math and science is administered throughout Florida in the spring. (Suite101.com)
Program monitors progress of pupils Jul 13, 2008
The process begins in the regular classroom, where teachers use one-minute assessments to determine whether a child understands the material being taught ... But speech pathologists worked with kindergarten teachers, who have more pupils with speech impediments, to implement language-based assessment activities ... TIER I: Classroom assessments of all pupils to determine whether they are struggling to master concepts. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Teacher CRCT cheating alleged Jul 7, 2008
According to the state's Student Assessment Handbook, no one is permitted to "give students the answer, or any clues to the answer, to any test item.". In another CRCT investigation, Jamie Leigh Gruber, a third-grade teacher at Fort Daniel Middle School, was accused of looking ahead in a student's test booklet and sharing information on the social studies exam with "several colleagues," according to a human resources document. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Stow decision means Bolton can qualify for state school assistance Jul 3, 2008
Wood said all schools within the district have limited and inadequate space for enrichment programming, special education instruction and assessment, therapy classrooms, meeting space and adequate HVAC [heating, venting and air conditioning. Wood said Emerson School in Bolton is also overcrowded and requires additional classroom space, and has inefficient energy use. (Bolton Common, MA)
Is reform plan really ready? Jul 2, 2008
He also plans to implement an online assessment system that will give teachers real-time data on student performance as measured against state standards. In addition to increasing needs-based financial aid to help low-income and part-time students pursue a degree in higher education, Patrick wants to give 16-year-olds an opportunity to graduate high school early and move on to more challenging college work by passing an international evaluation test. (Reading Advocate, MA)
R-XIII School Board OKs 2008-09 Budget Jul 2, 2008
The assessment, dated May 28, sets real estate at $118,736,758 and personal property at $24,951,132. Actual assessed valuation figures will not be available until after the board of equalization meets in August. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Special Report: Many NEPA schools fall below Pennsylvania average Jul 1, 2008
The districts Abington Heights, Wallenpaupack Area and Wayne Highlands exceeded averages on all 18 test areas examined, including all grade levels and subject areas for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test, as well as the SAT, usually taken by college-bound juniors. We have a community and parents that are very supportive of education, said Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph. (Scranton Times, PA)
Most Houston County schools top state average in No Child Left Behind Act tests Jun 30, 2008
This spring, 556,000 students took the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II in math and reading. The tests begin at grade three, cover every middle school student and are given once per subject in high school. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Grading our schools: Wyoming Area test scores best in county with databases Jun 29, 2008
Grading our schools: Wyoming Area test scores best in county with databases BY ERIN MOODYSTAFF WRITER 06/29/2008 With the federally mandated No Child Left Behind deadline coming up in 2014, school districts and individual schools are working to improve scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and meet national academic standards. Search databases. (The Citizen's Voice, PA)
State House panel blasts school exit exam proposal Jun 27, 2008
The proposal calls for students to pass six of 10 graduation competency assessments -- called GCAs -- in math, language arts, social studies and science; the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests; Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or a local assessment that independent evaluators certify is equivalent to the graduation competency assessments ... It also said local assessments have not been analyzed to see whether they are a faulty measure, and suggested such a... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Chi-Hi math, middle school reading scores below state marks Jun 26, 2008
It s all part of a mixture of different assessment tools the school district and the state use to measure progress ... The assessment looks at the district as a whole as well as each school, and in that the district passed ... Dana Sommerfeld, the district s director of assessment and federal programs, attributes this year s failing scores to the process in which the AYP is calculated. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Bismarck Tribune Breaking News Schools fall short Jun 25, 2008
Superintendent Paul Johnson said it was an overall decrease in state assessment scores combined with an increase in the percentage of students it needed to perform well on the test ... The goal under No Child Left Behind is to have all students proficient in reading and math assessments by 2013-14 ... The Department of Public Instruction said the 2007-08 reading scores reflect not only increased achievement goals but also a new federal regulation that bars schools from counting as proficient... (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Two area schools ‘fail’ No Child Left Behind Jun 25, 2008
The expectation was a lot of us would not make AYP (adequate yearly progress) this year, said Susan Schumann, the La Crosse School District s supervisor of literacy, assessment and Title I. Fortunately we did, but almost everyone will be on the list by 2014. The La Crosse School District is really vulnerable, Schumann said, because it has a high number of students in subgroups, such as special education and English language learners. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Speak your mind Jun 23, 2008
I looked for help but every road led back to CAMH. The family doctor faxed referrals for an assessment to CAMH. After numerous phone calls to CAMH their response was there was at least a 9 mth wait list. All services in the city had waiting lists or were expensive. (Globe and Mail)
BOE gives Jones good evaluation Jun 21, 2008
Special Ed-Jimmy Hill, director: Having received and studied the Georgia Alternative Assessment scores for special education students, he finds that 80 percent passed English language arts and math and 100 percent passed science and social studies. He and his staff are busy with state data reporting. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Reading by the numbers Jun 16, 2008
According to a widely used assessment called Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, Kennedy students improve significantly in reading over the school year. But the benefits are broader. (Boston Globe)
Pleasant Ridge pinches pennies — paper or plastic? Jun 14, 2008
We live or die based on state assessment, Bohne said ... One of the remaining goals is the result of the state assessment tests. (Leavenworth Times, KS)
Gains seen, but more improvement sought Jun 13, 2008
Posey agreed with Presley's assessment that the Lincoln County School District's graduation rate is slightly skewed because of this. While the Brookhaven School District is contracted with Co-Lin to use the GED program in-house and receives the data, he said, the county district does not and its GED students are not always heard from. (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
TISD focuses on low math scores Jun 11, 2008
Preliminary results from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing this spring show Taylor ISD in the red on ninth and 10th grade math scores, but the district expects to remain academically acceptable when final TAKS results are released in October ... Another consideration is the overall weakness of the ninth and 10th-grade classes due to the switch from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS), the standardized test that was applied prior to 2001, to the TAKS test, which is... (Taylor Daily Press, TX)
SAD 34 budget passes by overwhelming margin Jun 11, 2008
Northport is the only community where school officials projected an increase in the tax assessment, especially in the Bayside neighborhood, while assessments are expected to drop slightly in the other five communities of Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville. Vote totals are as follows. (Courier Publications, ME)
SRHA vice chairwoman running for school board Jun 11, 2008
Hinton suggested other ways of measuring whether a student knows the material might be a more fair assessment. More needs to be done for special education students in the school system, both those with learning and development disorders and those with behavioral issues, she said. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
The taxpayer watchblog Jun 5, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008 11:12 AM EDT. Mark Kukiela is an employee of The Citizen and a Cayuga County resident that would like to see government spending brought in line with what is affordable. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Giving unhappy children a chance to xl Jun 3, 2008
There is an equally flexible approach to assessment. Students can work at their own pace and submit coursework in a variety of formats, including CD and DVD.. (Guardian Unlimited -- Society)
Voters approve SAD 34 warrant May 30, 2008
Craig Poulin, chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Northport, asks SAD 34 officials a question about why tax assessments went up for Northport but down in the other five communities in the school district ... The tax assessment went up in Northport, where valuations are high, especially along the waterfront in the Bayside neighborhood. (Courier Publications, ME)
School plans approved May 29, 2008
Title I makes a basic assessment and we re planning to look at the exit criteria for our students and what the kids need to know before entering the next grade. Our teachers work hard to make accommodations for our students. (Woburn Advocate, MA)
Special ed twins get OK for Buchanan graduation May 29, 2008
Jill Larson, a consultant with the state Department of Education's assessment, evaluation and support unit, said it's illegal for the district to bar special education students from participating in ceremonies. Avants said district officials are still conferring with state officials on that matter. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
TAKS results May 29, 2008
Officials plan to address the public and the media at 2 p.m. Thursday in a news conference to detail the district's Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores. ECISD Communications Director Mike Adkins said the secondary campuses aren't anticipated as being academically unacceptable. (Odessa American, TX)
Ionia/Montcalm ISDs look forward to new hire May 28, 2008
Michelle Goodwin: Director for Curriculum and Assessment at Gratiot-Isabella Regional Educational Service Agency since 2006. Michael Fine: Kelloggsville High School principal since 2004. (Ionia Sentinel-Standard, MI)
Special education comes up short, parents feel May 28, 2008
Nearly half of the children in this group that did not receive special education had severe or very severe disabilities, and nearly two-thirds had undergone a professional assessment of their educational needs. Overall, more than 40 per cent of Canadian children with disabilities aged 5 to 14 received some form of special education during the 2005-2006 school year roughly the same proportion as reported in 2000-2001. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Northports affluence a key factor in increased assessment May 23, 2008
Northports affluence a key factor in increased assessment Town sees increase in general assistance applications ... NORTHPORT Director of Finance and Operations at the Department of Education Jim Rier spoke with Town Administrator Jack Driscoll last week about the increase in Northports assessment in the proposed 2008-2009 SAD 34 budget ... All other towns will see a significant decrease in local assessment. (Courier Publications, ME)
FCAT reading skills up in district May 22, 2008
We are very pleased with these scores, said Kitty McElhaney, Columbia School District director of curriculum assessment. Local schools performed better on the math portion of the exam every elementary school posted gains when compared to last year while numbers for the reading. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
Flagler tops state average in reading, math May 22, 2008
Seventy-nine percent of Flagler County third-graders passed the reading part of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test while 80 percent of those students are performing at or above grade level in math, according to test results released by the Florida Department of Education. "That's really good news," said Jim Devine, county testing coordinator. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Superintendent assumes principalship; Jim Butler goes to middle school May 22, 2008
Fleming was plain-spoken in her assessment of the situation. "Directives have been given by the superintendent and the board that have not been followed," Fleming said. (Harrisburg Daily Register, IL)
School official outlines district goals report May 21, 2008
Ruwe also discussed a new sequence of tests that has been developed to help students prepare for the ACT test, called EPASS Educational Training Assessment System. The preparatory tests begin in eighth and ninth grade with the Explore test. (Pekin Times, IL)
Superintendent Pleased Voucher Measures Failed May 21, 2008
That bill, in part, states that voter-approved tax rate increases are subject to adjustment in reassessment years and phased-in tax increases are subject to adjustment in subsequent years. "Right now, we collect taxes based on the tax rate at that time, but in future it will be based on a lower assessment, so school districts will have to factor that in," he said. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Clayton graduation test scores lag behind state average May 20, 2008
Chandra Johnson, Clayton's executive director of research, evaluation and assessment, said the language arts and science scores can not be equally compared to last year's because the test was not aligned to the state curriculum. Students scores in those areas are expected to rise in future years because of curriculum changes. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Just because it's legal doesn't make it right May 16, 2008
The state rule says special education students may participate in graduation, said Jill Larson, a consultant with the state Department of Education's assessment, evaluation and support unit. The girls challenged themselves by taking a more demanding curriculum than they were required to pass in high school. (Fresno Bee)
Clovis bars twins from graduating May 15, 2008
The Reta sisters, who are developmentally disabled, are caught up in statewide confusion among high schools about a new requirement this year that special education students pass the California High School Exit Examination to receive a diploma, said Jill Larson, a consultant with the state Department of Education's assessment, evaluation and support unit. In 2006, the state began requiring students to pass the exit exam, or no diploma -- but had exempted special education students until this... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
AP Exclusive: WEA plays hardball in WA schools chief race May 15, 2008
It focuses on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, its impact on graduation rates and the unfairness of the test to special education students, those learning English and members of minority groups. The confidential memo makes a literary reference, comparing Bergeson to the villain in the Harry Potter series of children's books. (Longview Daily News, WA)
BoE Speaks: In Defense of the Budget May 15, 2008
The district is legally obligated to provide compensatory services to students scoring below grade levels in state assessments and to provide special education services to students identified as needing them ... Some taxpayers believe that, due to the triennial reevaluation from 85 percent to 100 percent full-market assessment, their school property taxes will go up at least 15 percent on top of the 2 ... 4 percent, regardless of any assessment changes. (Ithaca Times, NY)
Should seniors walk with bad scores? May 13, 2008
There is not a multiple choice assessment when it comes to putting out real fires ... The graduation test is only a multiple choice assessment - no performance portion. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Voters to be asked to keep tax May 11, 2008
Commercial assessment, however, is being phased down by 1 percent a year, he added. By 20011-12 it will be assessed at only 20 percent of full cash value. (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
The Flip-Flop Factor: Why Day Care Kids Dont Play Outside May 8, 2008
Regarding physician Mark Klein s assessment of day care as child neglect let me add my two cents. While as a physician, he is identified as a mandated reporter of abuse and/or neglect, he appears to have no real understanding of what constitutes child neglect, nor any knowledge of the massive impact peer-reviewed research has shown neglect to have often worse than the effects of physical abuse. (New York Times)
Minister seeks more help for dyslexic pupils May 7, 2008
The report will claim the system of allocating funding has been corrupted because the same person at the council assesses pupils then allocates their funding, meaning they could be tempted to change their assessment according to their budget. Parents should be given the funds and allowed to go private if they want and schools should have annual screening programmes to identify children with problems, the report will say. (Guardian Unlimited)
School budget up, tax bite down May 4, 2008
BELFAST The school board voted Thursday to adopt a $23 million district budget for the coming year that includes a spending increase and a cut in tax assessments for all but one town in the district ... Tax assessments went down in all SAD 34 towns except Northport ... The entire City Council and Mayor Walter Ash showed up and appeared pleased that Belfasts $7 million tax assessment reflected a drop of $673,401 or 8. (Courier Publications, ME)
Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees May 4, 2008
A quick look at our state assessment data will support our successwe are approaching 100% of our kids meeting the passing standard on TAKS and more importantly, the mastery standard on TAKS called commended performance is continuing to rise. An area for improvement for this district and many districts in Texas is our science program. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Tax increase for Carlisle? May 3, 2008
In Longeneckers words, factors influencing the budget include unprecedented legislation; unfunded mandates such as No Child Left Behind, Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), special education, cyber charter tuition and potentially graduation competency exams; a volatile economy; increasing costs of operation; and anticipated population growth. Picking cyber charter tuition as an example, Longenecker said seven years ago that wasnt even a line in the budget. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
