The Plymouth School Board reviewed ISTEP scores and school letter grades for the elementary and intermediate schools Tuesday.
Jefferson and Menominee elementary schools and Riverside Intermediate School all scored a C, while Webster Elementary School and Washington Discovery Academy got a B. The school grades take into account both students’ test scores as well as their year-over-year improvement. That “growth domain” helped boost scores for all of the schools. Washington and Webster saw particularly high levels of student improvement, with both scoring over 100 points for overall growth in math.
Meanwhile, principals are working on ways to help boost students’ test performance. Most schools will be taking steps to improve students’ behavior, to limit disruptions in the classroom. They’re also finding ways to reward students for good attendance.
Additionally, Menominee Principal Steven Boyer said administrators are setting guidelines to help teachers of the same grade level or subject matter collaborate with each other more effectively. “As an admin team, we have made it sort of the primary focus of our development and have been working together in order to really make sure that that collaboration process that we are engaging our teachers in is very deliberate and very intentional,” he said.
However, school officials once again noted the difficulties with the test itself, including the various changes the ISTEP has undergone over the past few years. They also pointed out that switching from computers to a pencil and paper format has gotten rid of some of the stress associated with technological problems. But at the same time, the students are generally more comfortable using computers, and teachers had to show them how to fill out a paper test form correctly.
Meanwhile, one parent in attendance Tuesday voiced her displeasure at the ISTEP. Kendra Hundt questioned the test’s ability to accurately measure students’ learning, as well as its role in influencing curriculum. “I’ve made an important decision to opt my children out of ISTEP testing this spring,” she said. “I understand the repercussions and the consequences, but I will not apologize for that. I know better and I will do better for my children. I apologize to their teachers who have worked extraordinarily hard to prepare them for this test. And they are ready, but they will not take it.”
While she praised the efforts of Plymouth teachers and administrators, Hundt also complained about the lack of progress from state legislators.
Click here to view the principals’ complete report.
