Two G-A schools fail to make grade
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

The Greencastle-Antrim Elementary and Middle schools did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress goals in 2007, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Elementary School, which received a warning last year, is now a step down at School Improvement I. The Middle School, which met AYP the past two years, is under a warning. The good news is the High School did meet state standards, as did the district as a whole.

AYPis calculated from PSSA test scores, and mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. Students in grades 3,4,5,6,7,8 and 11 are tested yearly.

Mary Frey, Director of Elementary Education, explained the results to the school board last Thursday.

The 2007 goal set by the state was 54 percent proficiency in reading and 45 percent proficiency in math. Certain subgroups within the schools did not meet the numbers, which resulted in the ratings for the two buildings. The goal is 100 percent proficiency in 2014.

Frey said economically dis- advantaged students in grades 3-5 and students with Individualized Education Plans in grades 6-8 did not attain the hoped-for achievement levels.

"Awarning means there is a concern," she said.

With the School Improvement rating, the district must come up with a two-year plan by Nov. 16 on how to reach the students who are trailing. That is already underway, she said, and will include the creation of school support teams. If goals are not met in four years, the state Department of Education will step in.

"We don't want that to happen," said Frey. "We don't want to lose our local control. The district needs to focus on state standards and we aren¿t doing that. The standards are wide and broad."

She clarified that such a procedure was not teaching to the test. Acting superintendent Greg Hoover confirmed that the standards defined what each student should know at each grade level.

"They are good standards," he said. "No one is disputing that."

Frey continued, "Our mistake was rationalizing it was the subgroups, but the groups changed."

Last year at the elementary school it was the IEP students who did not reach the benchmarks.

She said administration is analyzing data on the students and will depend on commitment from teachers in the entire school system.

"It's a problem that will have a good result. I believe it in my heart."

Elementary school principal Chad Stover added, "It's simply a challenge. Being able to turn that around is exciting."

Other business

Director of Secondary Education Bob Crider reported that the SAT scores of last year's seniors exceeded state and national numbers. GAHS student averages were verbal 517, math 521, writing 498. In Pennsylvania they were verbal 493, math 499, writing 482. Across the nation they were verbal 502, math 515, writing 494.

Board president Dan Fisher said he was happy to announce that the negotiating committee had met that day and reached a tentative agreement on teacher contracts. If both sides agree to the terms, the board will approve it at the Sept. 20 meeting.

The board adopted an idea suggested by Vicki Ritchey, athletic director. Senior citizens, aged 60 and over, may now attend athletic events free of charge.

The final round of teachers was hired. They included Mallory Pohl, shifted from Long Term Sub to Third Grade Teacher; John Gamble, Primary Half-Time Art; Christina Ingle, Second Grade Long Term Sub; Mandi Shick, Fifth Grade Long Term Sub; Karen Wickham, First Grade Long Term Sub.

Figures for school enrollment were released. As of the third day of school, G-ASD had 2914 students, up 16 from August 2006 and up 19 from the last day of school in June 2007.

The Primary School (K-2) has 604 students; Elementary School (3- 5) 666 students; Middle School (6-8) 700 students; High School (9-12) 944 students.