Cloverdale schools receive ISTEP results

CLOVERDALE -- School board members heard ISTEP+ results Monday night from Superintendent Carrie Milner. Scores are down slightly among most grade levels.

"We are pleased with many of the scores," said Milner. "Some students have made amazing progress while others continue to struggle."

The school board's plan is to review the data with faculty and make adjustments following the review.

ISTEP+ or Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus results released last week by Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed showed a slight decrease in overall passing rates statewide.

Cloverdale schools scores were among the pass rate average of approximately 71 percent in English/language arts, 74 percent in math and 60 percent in science.

While pass rates are dropping by one percent at every grade level, 10th-grade students at Cloverdale High School raised most of their scores from last year.

The freshman class was not tested in the fall. Those students will take ISTEP+ in the spring.

Milner said all students would be tested again towards the end of spring.

It was also reported by Milner the special education students showed a 12 percent increase in math and English.

There is something school board members are excited about.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program grant has been received. This money will provide resource centers in the elementary and middle school similar to the Knoy Resource Center currently in the high school.

The schools will receive more than $1 million in funds to provide centers at both school locations. It will be distributed over a four-year period.

More information on the grant and centers will be provided at a later date.

In other news, a state grant has been received to continue full-day kindergarten; fuel costs have gone down considerably; a target date of April 1, 2009 was set for the concession stand construction to be completed; and the locker rooms may get a makeover.

Milner told school board members about possibly retrofitting the locker rooms as a way to save money on much needed updates. She explained retrofitting is maintaining and updating the current facility.

Cloverdale High School will have special visitors today. FOX 59 will visit the high school for a program called "How Cool Is Your School."

Sonny Stoltz, principal of the high school, said it is scheduled to air after Christmas.

During the meeting, some personnel changes were approved by school board members. Toni Tomlinson transferred to Cloverdale Community School Corporation as of Dec. 8. Meagan Nees transferred from part time to full time. Donnie Helterbrand will be the new assistant wrestling coach at the middle school following the resignation of Steven Livingston.