Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for October 23, 2008 TESTING IN HARRISBURG

Couple of unrelated (except by city) stories making the news this Thursday morning...

Passing Grade

By: Christen Craig

SALINE COUNTY- Harrisburg's middle school was under scrutiny after students did not meet state standards in 2005 and 2006. The school struggled in math and reading but has since made changes earning the school a passing grade.

While students have been hitting the books, school administrators have been busy with some homework of their own.

"We went back and said what are we not doing in our curriculum we need to do to help these kids" said former Middle School Principle Karen Crank.

After two years of substandard test scores, the district came together to make changes.

"No matter what level you're at if you're an administrator, a teacher, a teaching assistant you look at that and say what do I have to do to make my teaching and my school better" says Crank.

To boost student test scores administrators had teachers set aside more time for one-on-one instruction, more time teaching math and more time for reading.

"They identified the deficiencies, then went after them aggressively and brought the scores around" says Harrisburg Superintendent Dennis Smith.

In the last two years the school has exceeded academic requirements and as long as students keep improving each year they'll avoid federal discipline. But it's a challenge because of funding

"I do not think the standards are too tough. I think there's funding problems especially across the lower down state" say Crank.

While Northern Illinois Schools may have more money because of higher property values, schools across the state are expected to meet the same requirements.

"I think the research shows that wherever you find schools with a lot of money backing each student that the test scores are higher" says Smith.

But for now, Harrisburg administrators are celebrating the big turn around.

"It's like winning a state championship, the equivalent on an academic level what they were able to pull off" says Smith.

School Administrators say they must continue to show improvement in their testing scores as part of the 'no child left behind act' but after the upcomming Presidential Election those educational standards could change.

Nearly a third of all public schools failed to show progress in their reading and math scores this year.

Driver Fails Test After Crashing into Front of License Building

By: Heartland News

HARRISBURG, Ill. - A Saline County woman did not pass her driving test after driving through the front of the facility Wednesday.

Police say an elderly woman drove her car through the front of the driver's licensing facility in Harrisburg Wednesday afternoon as she was testing to renew her license.

No one was hurt, but the failed exam made put a pretty big hole in the of the brick building.

Secretery of state employees say the facility will be open for driver's services Thursday.