Advertisement Early in June, school administrators and teachers jammed test numbers together into what was called “mind-blowing number crunching” during Onalaska’s annual data retreat.
Principals wielding poster displays and hand-outs, looking much like their own students, Monday reported results of the data retreat to the Onalaska Board of Eduation.
They said test scores demonstrate strengths and weaknesses in the schools. “Teachers need to know what is working and what is not working,” Superintendent John Burnett said. “Then we have to have a shared vision of what it will take for our students to be successful.”
Middle school Principal Roger Fruit said numbers from the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam — the mandated “No Child Left Behind” test — are cause for celebration. But he quickly added that a close look at the more accurate MAP test shows sub-groups in the student population that are not doing well.
For instance, findings show special education students are not doing as well as expected. “It is not the kids’ fault but how we are trying to bring them along,” Fruit said.
Middle school reading and math scores are such that the school will have an entirely revamped daily schedule this coming year. “This gives targeted kids the extra time they need so they have the time they need for these subjects,” Fruit said.
Test statistics for high school students call for a variety of methods including structured study halls. There will be a focus on each student passing each class before moving along. “There will be no failures,” Principal Pete Woerpel promised.
Most principals reported seeing “success problems” with children of lower socio-economic status and those in minority groups. Those groups are also growing slowly statistically in a district reputed to be upper middle income and professional.
School board members lauded the reports and the effort at using data to better focus education in the district. “This is one of the most exciting meetings of the year,” board member Mark Cassellius said.
“This is a dramatic change from seven or eight years ago,” board President Kirby Lentz noted.
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The board approved the following hirings:
In co-curricular positions, Jan Brock was hired as assistant varsity tennis coach, and Steve Torres resigned as assistant freshman football coach.
Kathleen Bray, Eagle Bluff Elementary paraprofessional, resigned.
Administration is recommending the creation of a full-time first-grade teacher position at Pertzsch Elementary effective Aug. 25.
Administration also is requesting the deletion of one .533 FTE paraprofessional at Eagle Bluff Elementary effective Aug. 12.
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