Putnam County ISTEP-Plus results are mixed bag

Friday, May 8, 2009

Putnam County schools did not fare particularly well on the 2008 ISTEP-Plus. While Bainbridge and Roachdale Elementary schools ranked in the "exemplary" category; and Deer Meadow Primary, Ridpath Elementary, Central Elementary and Cloverdale High School garnered an "academic progress" rating, all other schools in the county are on the "watch" list.

The recently released rankings show that Indiana's school rankings are not good in general with two-thirds of districts being placed on "academic watch" or "academic probation."

Statewide results show 187 school districts were placed in the "academic watch" category, and another five were placed on "academic probation." That equates to 66 percent of Indiana districts in the lowest two categories, up from 51 percent last year.

Among individual schools, 20 percent received the highest exemplary rating, 13 percent received the commendable rating, 20 percent received the academic progress rating, 40 percent were placed on academic watch, and 7 percent were on academic probation.

High schools fared the worst with 70 percent in the lowest two categories. Three of Putnam County high schools are in this category.

Schools that persistently land on academic probation face intervention from the state, which can include state officials taking over the school and running it themselves.

This list shows the ratings for all Putnam County schools: Cloverdale Community Schools--Watch; Cloverdale Elementary School--Watch; Cloverdale High School--Acad. Progress; Cloverdale Middle School--Watch.

Greencastle Community School Corp--Watch; Greencastle Middle School--Watch; Greencastle Senior High School--Watch; Martha J Ridpath Elementary School--Acad. Progress; Deer Meadow Primary--Acad. Progress; Tzouanakis Intermediate School--Watch.

North Putnam Community Schools--Watch. Bainbridge Elementary School--Exemplary; North Putnam Middle School--Watch; North Putnam Senior High School--Watch; Roachdale Elementary School--Exemplary.

South Putnam Community Schools--Watch; South Putnam Jr./Sr. High School--Watch; Central Elementary School--Acad. Progress; Fillmore Elementary School--Watch; Reelsville Elementary School--Watch.

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  • I do not find this surprising at SPHS. If you have harmony access you can check and see how many assignments you child has in a 9 weeks. I have found that some may only take 9 or 10 grades for the 9 weeks. That tells me not very much is being accomplished!

    -- Posted by letmegetbacktoya on Sat, May 9, 2009, at 7:00 AM
  • This is a response to sassylady: Because the teachers take 9 or 10 grades per 9 weeks, you truly think no teaching is going on? I have read your comments on a number of topics dealing with SP and they scream: IM IGNORANT!! First of all, you are obviously not a teacher, if you were, your students would hate you, that I can tell. What you dont realize is that standardized tests are a joke. They are obviously used to determine how a school is doing. This is wrong because teachers are not supposed to "teach to the test" because the students are not learning what they "need" to learn. When a teacher does not "teach to the test", the scores are lower. This is why standardized tests are wrong in every manner. I know a teacher that hasn't even covered the material yet that was on the ISTEP; this teacher was going to cover that particular material later in the year because that is where it was in the textbook. You also must understand that this year students took the ISTEP three different times; adults would struggle with taking a week long standardized test three times, too. You must get your facts straight before you assume that no teaching is happening at SPHS. Also, teachers, whether you believe it or not, also have lives at home. They dont like to take their work home with them (tests, wkshts, etc) to grade. Just because you have checked your student's harmony page, doesn't mean those are the only grades the teacher has taken. Every teacher uses a hard copy gradebook along with Harmony. Sometimes they wait a little longer to put those grades in. Dont fault them because they dont put their grades in every day, that would be nearly impossible. Also, if you have a problem with the number of grades in the gradebook, call and talk to the teacher, dont post it on this website where everyone can see. Practice some empathy for once in your life, you might become a better person, or in the very least, you might keep your ignorant filled comments to yourself.

    -- Posted by JSW on Sat, May 9, 2009, at 7:36 PM
  • To JSW. I am far from ignorant! If all grades are not being added to harmony then why do we have it. For parents that are involved in their childrens education this is an excellent resource. If the system is not being updated regulary then it is not of much use. I check the assignment summary often. It is frustrating to me when I check the assignments page and it has been 20 days since the last grade was added. How am I to stay on top of what my child is doing? Some teachers put future test and assignments on harmony and this is very helpful. I can mention to my child that I saw a test is coming up and ask if they have studied.

    If you read my last post, you would notice I did not say all teachers only took 9 or 10 grades I said some. I was not bashing anyone by name. I support teachers and all that they do! But,as a parent it is my duty to make sure my child is getting the most out of their education. Teachers as well as parents have many concerns with our education system and standardized testing. I am merely asking parents to stay on top of what their child is doing in the classroom.

    If they have access to harmony and have questions they can contact the teacher personally.

    I realize that my ideas and opinions may differ from yours, but that does make me ignorant.

    -- Posted by letmegetbacktoya on Sun, May 10, 2009, at 8:46 AM
  • The last line should read: but that does not make me ignorant!

    -- Posted by letmegetbacktoya on Sun, May 10, 2009, at 10:14 AM
  • what happened to the web site that was mentioned for SPHS ? Why did you take away that comment???

    -- Posted by senior'08 on Wed, May 13, 2009, at 6:22 AM
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