Ames stresses ILEARN preparation

CLOVERDALE -- Following the release of ILEARN scores last week, administrators and teachers at Cloverdale Schools are keeping optimistic about tackling the new assessment.

During the Cloverdale School Board’s regular meeting Monday evening, school officials digested the implications for how to best adapt and improve curriculum and remediation to meet state standards.

Presented as an update, Curriculum Director Cathy Ames shared information regarding Cloverdale’s ILEARN scores, especially in comparison with state averages and other area school systems.

Ames first went through the purpose of ILEARN, which is intended to replace the controversial and, generally to educators, flawed ISTEP+ assessment. She highlighted that ILEARN is designed to be computer-adaptive, meaning questions will become harder or easier based continuously on a student’s answers.

Ames related that Cloverdale’s scores were close to or above the passing averages, comparable to schools in Vigo County despite being smaller. This includes school scores in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.

More information as to the specific scores and percentages were covered in an article last week in the Banner Graphic.

Ultimately, Ames focused her presentation on how educators at Cloverdale Schools were preparing for the ILEARN test, as well as continuing to improve despite these scores being lower than wanted.

“Though our scores were lower than we wanted them to be, we’re not making excuses in wanting to get better,” she said.

Ames said a “rigorous” math curriculum was being emphasized from kindergarten to eighth grade, and that reading accountability on students’ parts had more of a focus. She added that teachers were utilizing formative ELA and math assessments in their classes, and were committed to training, analyzing data from those assessments and intervention addressing a student’s needs.

Ames invoked a drop in scores after a change in the ISTEP+ tests which occurred about five years ago, implying that it was little surprise that scores were down this time. Despite recent criticism of ILEARN’s perceived shortfalls in assessing performance, preparation was key to improving scores.

“It wasn’t because we weren’t prepared; it was because it was a new test,” Ames said. This echoes local administrators’ concern that teachers have not been given enough time and resources to acclimate better to and to succeed with ILEARN.

In response to a question from Duane Huge as to whether the state accounts for effectiveness when comparing each grade level, Ames stated it was hopeful that more attention would be given to the issue of addressing specific content.

Board President Vivian Whitaker also invoked that differing scores could be linked to contrasting socio-economic factors between areas, such as Cloverdale being a less-wealthy community overall than Plainfield is.

Ames concluded that teachers and administrators would structure enrichment and remediation at the start of school, as well as conferences with students before taking the ILEARN. Open communication between students, parents and teachers, as well as embracing change, rounded out Ames’ main themes.

In other business, the board approved the budget, capital projects plan and school bus replacement plan for 2020 without any discussion or comments from the audience.

The board also approved school improvement plans for all the school buildings. The body also approved savings of $50,000 from the teacher retirement fund to be used for necessary expenses.

Superintendent Greg Linton also relayed that Transportation Director Joel Kennedy had recently conducted a bus route review, and that no students at Cloverdale would have to cross a federal or state highway at stops.

For the first time this school year, the board also recognized Cloverdale’s Students of the Month. Fourth-grader Adelaide Meyerrose represented Cloverdale Elementary School, eighth-grader Brinley Hardy was recognized by Cloverdale Middle School and senior Joeli Hamilton came from Cloverdale High School. Hardy was not present at the meeting.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignations: Elizabeth Hawkins, bus aide; Sharon Freemen, elementary school/middle school cafeteria; and Doug Wokoun, high school boys varsity golf coach;

• Employment: Gwen Stattner, high school athletic secretary/receptionist; Rita Manual, middle school cafeteria (part-time); Kathy Moore, seventh-grade girls volleyball coach; and Mark McCammon, seventh-grade boys basketball coach;

• Volunteer: Doug Wokoun, high school volunteer assistant boys golf coach.

JaceAnn Trout was the only board member absent at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale School Board is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center near Cloverdale High School.