“It’s like comparing apples to apples when looking a schools across the state,” said White Hall School Superintendent Dr. Larry Smith at the Tuesday, Jan. 12, school board meeting, refering to a recent report from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE).
In the report, White Hall High School was among the 58 high schools in the state identified by ADE for inflating 20 percent or more of its grades in a comparison of the grades of public high school students taking algebra 1 and geometry last year with their scores on the state’s 2009 end of course exams.
According to the report, high schools for which 20 percent or more of students made an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in the course but failed to score proficient or advanced on the corresponding end of course exams are identified as having grade inflation.
There were 96 students taking the test out of the 744 enrolled. The final result was a 28.1 percent inflation rate.
Smith added that though the district did not fare well in the report, the scores would have proven to be much higher if they were scaled according to the school instead of the district.
The report also takes on additional significance because the students from those schools without proficient scores have tougher requirements to qualify for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship where students must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and a 19 on the ACT or proficient scores after again taking the state mandated, end-of-the-year tests. The department plans to send specialists to each school to help fix the problem.
In other business, it was announced that CWR Construction Company was the low bid for the upcoming addition to WHHS, with a bid that came in more than one million below earlier estimates. Smith stated that another meeting would most likely be held in a few weeks to approve the contractor for the project, a reflection of the recent millage increase which will pay for the construction of 17 new classrooms, a softball field and a gymnasium for physical education classes at the high school, resurfacing the track and installation of turf for the football field.
Upon the completion of the classrooms the district will make the transition from a junior high to a middle school concept resulting in more classroom space at the elementary schools.
The board approved the required 10-year facilities master plan that was discussed at the public hearing that was held before the meeting.
Also meeting the board’s approval was the use of Moody Annex for a fundraiser dance on Feb. 5; a request by the Redfield Junior High Booster Club to use the Redfield Junior High Auditorium on Jan. 30, for a “Misster Redfield Contest” fundraiser; and a request from the American Legion Baseball Teams to use the WHHS baseball field for the upcoming summer season.
Board members also endorsed a memorandum of understanding signaling the district’s participation to gain a “Race to the Top” grant.
The resignations of Bryan Akines, White Hall Junior High School social studies/health/physical education teacher and Wanda Kogneski, custodian were approved along with the hire of four new substitutes and a contract reduction from 180 to 147 days for Lynn Akers, Gandy Elementary School Lab Aide.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Julius Brown Administration Building.
“It’s like comparing apples to apples when looking a schools across the state,” said White Hall School Superintendent Dr. Larry Smith at the Tuesday, Jan. 12, school board meeting, refering to a recent report from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE).
In the report, White Hall High School was among the 58 high schools in the state identified by ADE for inflating 20 percent or more of its grades in a comparison of the grades of public high school students taking algebra 1 and geometry last year with their scores on the state’s 2009 end of course exams.
According to the report, high schools for which 20 percent or more of students made an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in the course but failed to score proficient or advanced on the corresponding end of course exams are identified as having grade inflation.
There were 96 students taking the test out of the 744 enrolled. The final result was a 28.1 percent inflation rate.
Smith added that though the district did not fare well in the report, the scores would have proven to be much higher if they were scaled according to the school instead of the district.
The report also takes on additional significance because the students from those schools without proficient scores have tougher requirements to qualify for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship where students must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and a 19 on the ACT or proficient scores after again taking the state mandated, end-of-the-year tests. The department plans to send specialists to each school to help fix the problem.
In other business, it was announced that CWR Construction Company was the low bid for the upcoming addition to WHHS, with a bid that came in more than one million below earlier estimates. Smith stated that another meeting would most likely be held in a few weeks to approve the contractor for the project, a reflection of the recent millage increase which will pay for the construction of 17 new classrooms, a softball field and a gymnasium for physical education classes at the high school, resurfacing the track and installation of turf for the football field.
Upon the completion of the classrooms the district will make the transition from a junior high to a middle school concept resulting in more classroom space at the elementary schools.
The board approved the required 10-year facilities master plan that was discussed at the public hearing that was held before the meeting.
Also meeting the board’s approval was the use of Moody Annex for a fundraiser dance on Feb. 5; a request by the Redfield Junior High Booster Club to use the Redfield Junior High Auditorium on Jan. 30, for a “Misster Redfield Contest” fundraiser; and a request from the American Legion Baseball Teams to use the WHHS baseball field for the upcoming summer season.
Board members also endorsed a memorandum of understanding signaling the district’s participation to gain a “Race to the Top” grant.
The resignations of Bryan Akines, White Hall Junior High School social studies/health/physical education teacher and Wanda Kogneski, custodian were approved along with the hire of four new substitutes and a contract reduction from 180 to 147 days for Lynn Akers, Gandy Elementary School Lab Aide.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Julius Brown Administration Building.
