schools
Schools Update ~ State Testing
By Nate Underwood
This year’s graduating seniors
(class of 2014 and 2010-11 Cohort
Group) are the first group of students
required to demonstrate Essential Skill
Requirements (ESR) in all three areas:
• Reading—Read and comprehend a
variety of text
• Writing—Write clearly and accurately
• Math—Apply mathematics in a variety
of settings
Students prove that they have
mastered these Essential Skills by earning
at or above a cut score on one of the
approved district categories. Categories
we use are Statewide Assessments
(OAKS), Other Assessments (SAT,
ACT, PSAT, etc...), and Work Samples.
Seniors that have yet to pass
their State OAKS (Oregon Assessment
of Knowledge and Skill) are in jeopardy
of missing the mark on diploma
requirements. Steps that VHS is taking
to address this requirement include:
• Remedial classes designed to increase
skill set prior to retesting.
• Specific Advisory classes focusing on
Vernonia School Board Report
At the November 13, 2013 Vernonia School Board
Meeting:
Board Discusses New Oregon Report Cards-The
Board discussed the new annual Oregon Report Card
for 2012-13 issued by the Oregon department of Edu-
cation. The district received four reports for Vernonia
Elementary School, Mist Elementary School, Vernonia
Middle School and Vernonia High School. Schools
are graded on Academic Achievement and Academic
Growth. Vernonia High School is also graded on Grad-
uation. Overall Vernonia High School received a rat-
ing of 4 on a scale 1-5, which falls between 44% and
90% of schools in Oregon. Vernonia Middle School
received a rating of 3 which falls between 15% and
44% of all schools. Vernonia Elementary School also
received a rating of 3. According to the report card, the
overall rating is based on a combination of factors that
includes standardized test scores in reading and math
and represents a limited view of student performance.
Other aspects on the report are designed to put the rat-
ing in a proper context. The report card also provides
information about student progress, achievement and
gains over time and provides a breakdown of outcomes
and performance scores of numerous student groups in
comparison to all other Oregon schools.
School board member Jim Krahn raised con-
cerns that the School District is finding itself teaching
to achieve test scores as opposed to teaching what a
student really needs and asked whether the numbers on
the report have real value? High School Principal Nate
Underwood replied that passing the tests is required for
students to graduate and so it is important to teach stu-
dents the skill set to pass the tests. Elementary Prin-
cipal Aaron Miller expressed concerns about the whole
assessment and evaluation process. Miller also noted
that Vernonia Elementary is currently a Focus School
because of poor test scores and has received additional
funding which has helped with professional develop-
ment for teachers and administrators.
Later in the meeting, when the School Reports
were brought up again, Superintendent Ken Cox clear-
ly stated that, “We do not teach to the test. “I think that
anyone of our teachers and our administrators would
emphatically state that. We are concerned about the
test scores and we are trying to improve the way we
teach to improve those scores, but that is not the pur-
2013
subject matter.
• Use of technology and online resources.
• Implementation of Student Work
Samples.
• Training in State Work Sample Scoring
in reading and writing. This will give
multiple teachers in various curriculums
and grade levels the same training to
assist kids.
• SLG (Student Learning Goals) for
all students. District wide teachers are
submitting student learning goals that
target measurable growth for all students.
Many of these goals are focused on the
13
Essential Skills.
• Continued professional development in
best practices for effective instruction.
It is imperative that your student
take these requirements seriously.
Regular attendance, active engagement
in class, good study habits, and positive
family support are a few things that will
help all students achieve. 2012-13 test
data was sent home at the beginning of
the year. Students will begin the first
round of testing at all grade levels in
the coming weeks. Please contact the
school if you have any questions.
pose of our teaching. The purpose of our teaching is any kind of criminal activity. The Board took no action
to improve student learning. Student learning is more on the policy change.
important than student achievement.”
Superintendent Report-Superintendent Ken Cox re-
Financial Report-Dawn Plewes reported that she is ported to the Board on several items.
closely monitoring the financial picture and that the
Cox updated the Board on the Spencer Park
bottom line is moving closer upwards toward what was construction. Cox told the Board that he is working on
budgeted for the Unappropriated Ending Fund Balance. a final proposal to present to the City of Vernonia for
Plewes reported that there has been some unanticipated work that is scheduled to take place in spring of 2014.
miscellaneous revenue. Plewes reported that student
Cox told the Board that student Bridger Stew-
enrollment is down sixteen from what was budgeted ard has completed his Eagle Scout project which in-
for at the beginning of the year.
cluded painting the goal posts at the football field and
cutting flow through vents in the grand stands, which
Grant Updates-Aaron Miller reported that the District brings the football stadium into compliance with
received $15,000 more than they had budgeted for in FEMA. Cox thanked Steward and everyone who as-
the Collaborations Grant, which will be used to imple- sisted with his project.
ment the new evaluation system, hiring a Sustainability
Cox noted that the new front entrance window
Coordinator and a Volunteer Coordinator, and some ad- in the school lobby has been completed as well as re-
ditional staff time.
modeling for the Spencer Health and Wellness Clinic.
Miller also reported that the District has ap-
Cox told the Board that he has talked with
plied for a $250,000 Career and Technical Education State Representative Brad Witt and Witt offered help
(CTE) Grant from the state to help implement the cur- with finding upgraded used technology equipment for
rent shop, digital arts, forestry and engineering pro- the schools.
grams. The grant will provide funding for upgrades to
Cox mentioned that he learned at the recent
the shop facility, purchase of equipment for the digital Superintendents meeting that Oregon is considering
arts program, and internship programs with communi- approving a free, online textbook program, or paper-
ty partnerships at Stub Stewart State Park and the Up- less books, for next year, which would be a great cost
per Nehalem Watershed Council and with the School savings for the District.
Maintenance Department. Miller says the District ex-
pects to hear about the grant in the beginning of De-
cember. According to Board Chair Bill Langmaid, this
S.H.A.W.
grant would answer some of the concerns the Board
Spencer Health and Wellness
has raised about how the District can help prepare stu-
School Based Health Center
dents for technical trade careers.
Clinic staff will be available on
Tue.
and Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Board Discusses Volunteer Policy-Superintendent
Ken Cox presented the Board with an update to the Dis-
trict Volunteer Policy.
Cox has added a para-
graph which requires
the Superintendent to
follow a Criminal His-
tory Conviction Matrix
guideline in the event
that the background
check for a potential
adult volunteer shows
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