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Parents quizzed on student achievement

Oct 09, 2008 - 04:05:59 CDT

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

With a remote-control device, community members locked in their vote for a series of questions posed by Bismarck School Superintendent Paul Johnson.

The clickers are like the ones used by students in class for quick quizzes. Results are available instantaneously.

About 75 community members used the remote controls at Simle Middle School as part of the district's second parent meeting on student achievement. It will combine the results of the survey with the results of meetings Monday and tonight.

The final meeting is 7 to 9 p.m. today at Wachter Middle School. Johnson will explain the importance of the state assessment test, but also seek input on ways to help students who are not reaching the proficient categories on the test.

A few ideas are in the works, such as tutoring help through http://tutor.com and with a selection of district teachers.

The district is making a push to get non-achieving students to pass the reading and math assessment tests so that the district meets the requirements of No Child Left Behind. The district needs 90 percent of its students passing these tests by 2011.

"To me, that is the least of the motivation for student achievement," Johnson said.

He said he is more concerned with getting students prepared with life after high school, whether that is the work force or college.

This school year, each school identified its students who are not passing the state assessment, which is about 1,000 students, and sent a letter home to parents. At the school, they are working on plans to help prepare those students for the assessment tests later this month.

The district, however, wants to start a series of steps to help students every year reach proficiency on the tests. It could mean mandatory summer school, extended school days or replacing a student's elective with a math or reading class. Those were among the items for which the participants were quizzed.

The results of the three surveys will be compiled and a report will be given at the next Bismarck School Board meeting on Monday.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

xx wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:18 PM:

" I agree with BJB. It seems like the homework is for the parents as well. What are the teachers doing then. Homework being piled on the kids daily. No time for parents to do anything with the family anymore. I also thought this was important part in a family. If this is what no child left behind is, I really don't agree with it totally. In high school I had taken special class in Math because I wanted to learn. Did I, NO. Who pays for this tutoring, transportation then. Yes I did go to the meeting. What I see is those students not making this 90 percent will drop out of school. There will be a higher drop out rate. "

BJB wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:46 PM:

" I see two sides to this issue: 1. Because I am a teacher 2. Because my son is not at grade level in reading. Although we are in the Williston area, the district is trying something similar to what BPS are doing. My son had to spend 30 minutes after school everyday for a week to prepare for standardized testing. Do I like this? Not really, because it is not data driven. Is there proof that what you are doing will help raise test scores???? And 90% proficient......tell me what work force is 90% proficient in anything. Sorry to say, but that is an unrealistic goal. "

s wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:29 PM:

" To Concerned Parent,Have you gone to a meeting yet?Go the last one is tonight at Wachter 7:00 or check what else is going on by getting on their website. "

concerned parent wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:11 AM:

" Instead of mandating summer school and replacing a student's elective with a math or reading class what resources or tools are teachers learning and given to incorporate into their classrooms to help those or assist those students who are not passing the state assessment. It isn't going to help those students who are below the assessment level to take more reading or math classes if the teacher is unable to recognize what the core problem is in reading or math. "

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