ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 25, 1997 TAG: 9704250076
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER THE ROANOKE TIMES
Roanoke City Council questioned the finalists on a range of issues facing schools. Appointments will be made May 12.
Roanoke students' scores on standardized tests and the city's dropout rate were cited Thursday night as major weaknesses in the school system by several finalists for the School Board.
They agree with Superintendent Wayne Harris' efforts to improve test scores, increase attendance and reduce the dropout rate. But poor academic achievement is still a big problem in city schools, they said.
"We have much work to do on standardized test scores and the Literacy Passport Test," Webster Day told City Council. "Our dropout rate at 6percent is too high."
School officials have established some good goals for improving test scores, but "these need to be monitored and we need to grade ourselves," Day said.
"The test scores are a real concern for me," said Joann Hamidullah, adding that she sees this as the biggest problem in city schools.
Council interviewed all six finalists for the three board seats, quizzing them on a broad range of topics - from social promotion to discipline.
Chairwoman Marsha Ellison said the School Board and school administrators have developed a system for measuring the schools' performance in raising test scores and improving academic achievement. The board is also offering financial incentives to schools that show improvement.
"We're beginning to see some results," Ellison said, "but we still need to improve the scores and lower the dropout rate."
Roanoke's test scores are lower than most nearby school systems and below the state average in some grades.
The percentage of the city's sixth-graders who passed all three parts of the Literacy Passport Test was the lowest in the Roanoke Valley in the past year. In Roanoke, 58percent of the sixth-graders passed the reading, writing and math exams. In Salem, 79percent passed all three exams and 74percent passed in Roanoke County. The state average was 70 percent.
Councilman Carroll Swain said Roanoke doesn't show up well in scores of basic reading, math, English, writing and science skills on standardized tests as well as the Literacy Passport exams.
"When we compare our scores to Salem and Roanoke County and other school systems, we don't look that good," said Swain, who questioned every board candidate on the issue.
Sherrie Boone said she thinks that the state's new academic standards, smaller classes and the city's instructional program for teachers should help raise test scores.
Boone said more parental involvement will help increase attendance and boost academic performance. Studies have shown that students do better in schools if their parents show an interest in their education, she said.
Sherman Lea said the city should train teachers to better prepare students for the format of standardized tests. Lea said he agreed with Harris' attempt to make schools more accountable for improving test scores and academic achievement.
Students should be required to acquire good reading, writing and math skills before they are promoted to higher grades, Lea said.
Michael Ramsey said he believes test scores will rise if the schools give more attention to the core academic subjects and basic skills.
Computers and technology are essential in schools, but "we tend to become fascinated with technology," Ramsey said. "The more attention that is focused on the basic skills, the better test scores will be."
Most candidates said safe and orderly schools will be a priority if they are appointed to the board.
"I'm a firm believer in discipline. Young people want discipline, and we should have a consistent policy throughout the schools," Lea said.
Ramsey said he believes some discipline problems are caused by some students being placed in academic classes when they are more interested in vocational courses. If these students were in classes they enjoyed, they might not cause problems, he said.
"I've heard of some incidents {of disorder in the schools], but I don't think there is a mass problem in discipline," said Ellison, the only incumbent seeking reappointment.
Council will make the appointments to the three seats on May12. Vice Chairman John Saunders is not seeking a new term, and Marilyn Curtis is ineligible for reappointment because she has served three terms.
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