July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Board celebrates ISTEP scores (12/18/07)
Jay School Board
By By JACK RONALD-
The highest ISTEP scores in 10 years brought smiles to the Jay School Board Monday night as local students performed above the state average at nearly every grade level and showed significant improvement over last year.
"This truly is a "Merry Christmas' issue for the school board," assistant superintendent Wood Barwick said.
"Mathematics was sparkling. ... Our middle school increases were phenomenal. ... This is all good news."
In mathematics, Jay County students performed above the state average in seven of eight grade levels tested.
In language arts, Jay students ranked above the state average in five of eight grade levels.
And that performance came at a time when the state average itself was rising, board president Bryan Alexander noted.
"This isn't a one-year shot," said superintendent Tim Long. "We can't be satisfied."
"There's a plan for improvement next year," added Barwick.
That plan focuses on improved instruction, closing gender gaps in student performance, and long-term staff development.
Male students generally tested lower than female students in the area of language arts, Barwick reported.
"That gender gap is real. It's real in Jay County," said Long.
Barwick attributed much of the improvement to Long's insistence on summer school for middle school students not passing ISTEP, while Long credited leadership on the part of Bloomfield Elementary School principal Dan Hoffman.
"We have principals who are experts in this," said Long. "That's what being a school system is all about. It's not about one school."
Board members were unanimous in granting Long a contract extension through the end of the 2011-2012 school year with a one percent increase in his $109,000 annual salary on Jan.1.
Long will also be eligible for additional one percent payments in January and June under the memorandum of understanding with administrators.
"I appreciate the vote of confidence," said Long.
"We're making progress at a time of difficulty," board member Frank Vormohr told Long. "We've been blessed by your presence."[[In-content Ad]]
"This truly is a "Merry Christmas' issue for the school board," assistant superintendent Wood Barwick said.
"Mathematics was sparkling. ... Our middle school increases were phenomenal. ... This is all good news."
In mathematics, Jay County students performed above the state average in seven of eight grade levels tested.
In language arts, Jay students ranked above the state average in five of eight grade levels.
And that performance came at a time when the state average itself was rising, board president Bryan Alexander noted.
"This isn't a one-year shot," said superintendent Tim Long. "We can't be satisfied."
"There's a plan for improvement next year," added Barwick.
That plan focuses on improved instruction, closing gender gaps in student performance, and long-term staff development.
Male students generally tested lower than female students in the area of language arts, Barwick reported.
"That gender gap is real. It's real in Jay County," said Long.
Barwick attributed much of the improvement to Long's insistence on summer school for middle school students not passing ISTEP, while Long credited leadership on the part of Bloomfield Elementary School principal Dan Hoffman.
"We have principals who are experts in this," said Long. "That's what being a school system is all about. It's not about one school."
Board members were unanimous in granting Long a contract extension through the end of the 2011-2012 school year with a one percent increase in his $109,000 annual salary on Jan.1.
Long will also be eligible for additional one percent payments in January and June under the memorandum of understanding with administrators.
"I appreciate the vote of confidence," said Long.
"We're making progress at a time of difficulty," board member Frank Vormohr told Long. "We've been blessed by your presence."[[In-content Ad]]
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