Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990 TAG: 9007130630
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Overall, we have to be satisfied," Tripp said. "I think the students performed well. However, when you look at certain areas - writing and reading in grades nine through 11 for example - certain indicative roots show a trend that students are not performing as well."
The percentage of students who passed the Literacy Passport Test, designed to test sixth-graders' basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics, exceeded the state average in all three areas. However in writing, students barely exceeded the state average of 77.0, with a percentage of 77.3.
Overall, 69.8 percent of students who took the Literacy Passport Test passed it - 4.7 percent higher than the state average.
The Iowa Test of Basic Achievement, which Salem opted to give to all students in grades T1 (for pupils between kindergarten and first grade) through eight rather than than just fourth- and eighth-graders as the state mandates, students performed well, Tripp said. The test is designed to measure actual achievement.
But results of the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP), given to ninth- through 11th-graders, "were not where we expected to be," Tripp said. "It wasn't bad but not what we're accustomed to."
The Cognitive Abilities Test, which Salem gave to first-, third-, fifth- and eighth-graders, is intended to predict a pupil's ability to achieve in academic subjects.
Comparative results of the first-graders tested showed increases in verbal, quantitative and nonverbal skills over the past three years while comparative results of third-, fifth- and eighth-graders showed slight decreases.
In another matter, the board gave initial approval to adding two new policies on drug and alcohol abuse by both school employees and students to the school policy manual.
Employees violating a proposed drug-free workplace policy would face termination of employment and referral for prosecution.
Students found in violation of a proposed alcohol- and drug-abuse rule of the student-conduct code would face punishment, including suspension of up to 10 days.
James W. Dyke Jr., state Secretary of Education and acting superintendent, has said that all state school systems must have certain policies, including those addressing drug and alcohol abuse, in place by July 20 or risk having federal money cut off.
by CNB