GQE policy toughened (12/20/05)

It’s going to be tougher for Jay County High School students to get a waiver of the state’s graduation qualifying exam.

Jay School Board members unanimously adopted a new procedure Monday which calls for students who fail the math or language arts portions of the ISTEP/GQE to take mandatory summer school remediation classes.

“We’ve been having remediation classes during the school year,” said superintendent Barbara Downing. “We want our students to pass this (ISTEP/GQE) in the first round.”

Under the new procedure, a student who does not pass the exam will be required to earn three waiver credits in the areas not passed.

Two credits may be earned by passing algebra I or English grammar and composition at level 10 during summer school. Students who have already passed those courses prior to failing ISTEP/GQE will have to take them again during summer school.

The third waiver credit may be earned during tutorial sessions during the school year.

Students will then have to take the ISTEP/GQE again, showing improvement over previous test results. They must also maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95 percent and complete 22 credit hours of required courses for graduation with a C average.

“We’re trying to make the kids more accountable and pass the test the first time,” said Downing. “We’re really serious that that diploma means something.”

Acknowledging the mandatory summer school represents a “tough stance,” she added, “There’s a way they can avoid summer school: Pass the test.”

Downing said she was very pleased with ISTEP test results which were announced last week.

Students in Jay Schools performed better districtwide than the state average, and math scores showed distinct improvement.

However, when scores are broken down by grade level, JCHS was below the state average in three of four categories, a point which prompted concern from school board president Doug Inman.

“How can their test scores drop off?” he asked, noting that historically Jay Schools students perform better at the elementary and middle school levels than at the high school level.

Board member Bryan Alexander also expressed concern about the need to improve student performance. “We don’t have enough of our kids seeking post-secondary education,” he said. “Our numbers aren’t high enough. We really need to encourage excellence.”

Board members gave unanimous approval to new graduation requirements, bringing them in line with revised state standards.

Beginning with students entering JCHS as freshmen next fall, 46 credits will be required for graduation. Keyboarding for ninth graders has been dropped from the curriculum, with new computer-related classes added. The Core 40 diploma will now require two credits of geography rather than one.

JCHS principal Wood Barwick said it was possible to accommodate the new state requirements within the school’s block scheduling system without posing an undue burden for students.

“You can still be in band all four years,” he said.

Barwick also reviewed the 2006-2007 high school curriculum for the board, noting several new courses offerings. Those include desktop publishing, personal finance, web design, an advanced English class offered through Ball State University for college credit, and advanced elder care careers.

Revised board policies in accordance with changes in state and federal law were approved through the first reading on a 5-2 vote, with board members Mike Shannon and Greg Wellman dissenting.

Both Wellman and Shannon expressed concern over providing educational services without charge to illegal aliens.

“It just bothers me,” said Wellman. “I’m not opposed to educating anybody.”

Board attorney Phil Frantz noted the language of the policy changes is essentially required by federal law.

“We’re not permitted to ask (students) if they are a citizen,” said Downing.

“They’re treated like any other resident of the county,” said Frantz.

In other business, the board:

•Heard school corporation business manager Brad DeRome report that the Department of Local Government Finance had finalized the 2006 budget, which totals $29,681,323 and has a tax rate of $1.4428 per $100 assessed valuation. That represents a two cent increase on the tax rate over 2005.

•Heard DeRome report that despite the expected decrease in the tax draw because of the changes in assessment at Saint-Gobain’s plant in Dunkirk he believes the general fund will finish the year in the black.

•Heard Downing say she had received a great deal of feedback from teachers and principals on next year’s school calendar. At issue are the length of next year’s Christmas vacation and the end date for the school year. She’ll bring a final recommendation to the board in January.

•Authorized an additional appropriation of $40,000 from the rainy day fund to pay for emergency repairs to the central office building’s boiler. Alexander cast the sole dissenting vote.

•Accepted an early intervention grant of $10,500 from the state to provide continuing education for reading recovery teachers at the elementary level and a donation of $668 from Sprint to help fund Red Ribbon Week.

•Extended administrative contracts for Andy Schemenaur, principal at East Elementary School, through June 30, 2007 and Shane Hill, JCHS football coach, through June 30, 2008.

•Approved leave requests by Susan DeRome and Judy Redwine and driver education contracts with Ted Habegger, Dennis Dwiggins, and Pete Wiggins.

•Approved Emily Zielinski as volunteer assistant gymnastics coach, Katie Pearson as volunteer girls’ basketball coach, and Nicole VanSkyock as volunteer assistant trainer. All of those positions are at JCHS.

•Approved a field trip request by East Jay Middle School seventh grade students to visit Cedar Point Amusement Park in May.[[In-content Ad]]