SCHOOL TEST SCORES ARE GOOD SNAPSHOT
By most measures, students in Central School District 13J lagged behind state averages on English language arts and math – but 7th-graders showed consistent growth year-over-year from mid-elementary school onward.
“This is what we need to look at, and we need to try to determine what’s happening – and if we can learn why, that can be very helpful to us,” said Jennifer Kubista EdD, superintendent of the district. Dr. Kubista made her observations at the final “community chat,” which was held at the Henry Hill Hawk meeting room this past week. However, she unveiled the test scores at the last school board meeting, prompting one board member to note the data sets were beginning to show trends.
The results were based on the previous years’ “Smarter Balanced Assessment” test, which showed this particular group, ages 12-to-13, improved more than 4% per year, for an overall rise of 16.6%. “Data collection is just so very important,” Dr. Kubista said. By having the same test annually and, in general, the same students taking it as they move through grades, “we can get information that is valuable.”
In a brief interview after the community chat, Dr. Kubista added that the data-building effort at the district is being designed so that different categories, even individual students, can be tracked over time to give a clearer picture of gains and losses in periodic testing. “We aren’t there yet, but we’re headed there,” she said.
“This is what we need to look at, and we need to try to determine what’s happening – and if we can learn why, that can be very helpful to us,” said Jennifer Kubista EdD, superintendent of the district. Dr. Kubista made her observations at the final “community chat,” which was held at the Henry Hill Hawk meeting room this past week. However, she unveiled the test scores at the last school board meeting, prompting one board member to note the data sets were beginning to show trends.
The results were based on the previous years’ “Smarter Balanced Assessment” test, which showed this particular group, ages 12-to-13, improved more than 4% per year, for an overall rise of 16.6%. “Data collection is just so very important,” Dr. Kubista said. By having the same test annually and, in general, the same students taking it as they move through grades, “we can get information that is valuable.”
In a brief interview after the community chat, Dr. Kubista added that the data-building effort at the district is being designed so that different categories, even individual students, can be tracked over time to give a clearer picture of gains and losses in periodic testing. “We aren’t there yet, but we’re headed there,” she said.
CHS TRAINING A NEW ESSENTIAL GOAL
A technical-training career track could become a more successful path for some students. That point was made at a town hall forum held by the City of Independence this month – and Dr. Kubista said she’s in full agreement.
Asked during the meeting if such career preparation at the high school level has merit, Dr. Kubista said she is an advocate of it, noting that radiologic technicians earn as much as $75,000 annually -- and they don’t require a four-year college degree.
Career and technical education sustain high-school student involvement, she said. In fact, it’s linked to “on-time graduation,” she added. In addition, it means some high school graduates can “hit the ground running” in terms of immediate job opportunities, she said.
Asked during the meeting if such career preparation at the high school level has merit, Dr. Kubista said she is an advocate of it, noting that radiologic technicians earn as much as $75,000 annually -- and they don’t require a four-year college degree.
Career and technical education sustain high-school student involvement, she said. In fact, it’s linked to “on-time graduation,” she added. In addition, it means some high school graduates can “hit the ground running” in terms of immediate job opportunities, she said.
LOOKING AHEAD
Roth Grocery’s current home won’t become the school district’s new headquarters, once it vacates Independence and moves to a new building under construction at the S Curve – despite the popular rumor that relocation would free up the Henry Hill building to return to an elementary school. “No, this isn't the case,” said Dr. Kubista, quashing the gossip. However, a long-desired Taco Bell is likely to land next to the new Roth’s store, fulfilling a decade-long wish for the fast food eatery by students at Central High School. An email and phone call to Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine CA failed to elicit a denial.
THE FINAL WORD
The Independence Police Department issued 58 citations and warnings this past year for “Operating a Motor Vehicle While Using a Mobile Communication Device.” Officers have found that there is often confusion as to what constitutes using a cell phone while driving, noted Independence Police Chief Robert Mason in a news release on the topic. “Basically, what regulations allow is that you can utilize hands-free devices,’’ he stated, adding that “the only time that the phone can be touched is to activate or deactivate it -- not dialing, texting, holding it to talk, entering directions or taking a selfie." Also, “we ask you to slow down for the kiddos heading to and from school, turn on your headlights, and be ready for weather-related hazards on the roads,” the chief concluded.
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