Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 19, 1990 TAG: 9007200528
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
Nearly 68 percent of the county's sixth-graders, the second-highest rate in Virginia, failed all three sections of the test - reading, writing and math.
Although the matter will be discussed in executive session, a parent indicated at Tuesday's meeting that a number of parents plan to attend the 3:30 p.m. joint meeting on Aug. 6.
The school board has met with parents since the scores were released June 28.
Supervisors said they are puzzled why county students did so poorly even though the school system gets heavy support from the supervisors.
"Somebody needs to take the bull by the tail," said Zane Jones, chairman of the supervisors. "Excuses won't make the problem go away."
Jones said that with the supervisors alloting 70.4 percent - $2.6 million - of the county's overall budget to the school system, there should be better results.
Several supervisors speculated that perhaps too much of the money has gone into salaries rather than for basic education. But they conceded that much of the salary scale is mandated by the state Department of Education.
The supervisors also suggested that maybe the time has come for the schools to hire an outside consultant to study the problem.
Jones said continuing low test scores - not only this year but also in past years - hold dire implications for Craig.
"I'm afraid that more and more people will go out of Craig County for schools," he said. "With as small a system as we have, there is no reason we can't be the best."
by CNB