LCHS mulls participation in federal program intended to improve test scores

[July 24, 2012]  When the Lincoln Community High School Board of Education met on July 16, part of the order of business was to discuss a program to improve student test-taking, various school policies and the introduction of new supplemental courses. There were a number of other small items to discuss as well.

Those present at the meeting were Jim Mammen, board president; Darrel Vermeire, board vice president; Reatha Owen, board secretary; board members Jim Allen, Mark Aughton and Marianne Krusz; Robert Bagby, LCHS superintendent; Rhonda Hyde, vice principal; and Bret Hitchings, LTEC director.

Title I: A federal school improvement plan

Bagby elaborated on his goals for the Title I plan. The first is to see a 5 percent increase in Prairie State Achievement Examination scores in mathematics. The second goal is a similar increase in reading scores. The third is to work toward providing greater aid for homeless students.

There is a new requirement for schools receiving Title I assistance. This year, LCHS has to begin offering supplemental educational services, or SES classes. There are businesses around the country that provide tools and classes to help districts increase test scores, and a list of those businesses is provided to the school.

A problem arises concerning SES classes. They are not transferable in any way, nor do they provide credit toward graduation. This is not a school decision; federal law prevents the courses from counting for anything. As a result, students will not be so willing to take these courses. The classes focus more on study skills and test-taking rather than specific areas of study.

It was suggested that the school take advantage of the new wireless computers in the school and use the money from the grant to keep the computer labs open before and after school. This could also benefit students taking online credit recovery courses.

Another problem comes from the smaller amount of funds available. The school will not be able to cover all of the students who could benefit from SES. A screening process would have to be put in place to determine which students would benefit the most.

The discussion concerning Title I came to a close with the last goal of the board.

"We are going to review the plan this year and bring it back for approval," said Bagby.

On a final note, Reatha Owen said that some school districts are turning down the Title I funds because of the strings that come along with the money. Bagby said LCHS will not be doing that, as it would affect other grants as well.

Updating policies

The board approved a document on athletic code violations. This was the second reading, and little was said other than an approval of the revisions.

On the topic of revisions, several small changes were made to various policies at LCHS. "In some cases, one word," said Bagby when asked what the changes were. The updated policies were made in regard to a variety of small items. "Everything from food service to movable soccer goal safety to bus conduct to student records -- things like that," said Bagby.

Mammen commented: "Most of our policy changes anymore are the result of the state Legislature changing the laws on us."

The risk management plan was also updated. This plan is what allows the district to spend tort funds, which are used for safety, Internet security, bleacher repair, security at events and similar expenditures.

Vice principal and LTEC reports

The administrative reports were brief. Vice Principal Rhonda Hyde gave a preliminary enrollment number for the school year: 864 students.

LTEC Director Bret Hitchings reported that in the last week of this month the school will close on the houses for the building trades classes. LTEC is also applying for a grant in order to purchase land to build a cosmetology center.

Important dates

Important dates were announced by the board. Student registration dates are Aug. 6-8; new teacher orientation is Aug. 15; the first teacher institute days are Aug. 16 and 17; and the first day of classes is Aug. 20 with a 2 p.m. dismissal.

Teaching senior citizens

The final topic of discussion concerned senior citizens in the community. Bagby said he had been contacted by two women who both asked him if the school offered night classes. This coincided with a news story in another town (Bagby didn't say where), where a high school was considering whether to allow senior citizens to audit courses. Auditing a course involves taking the class, doing the work, taking tests, but receiving no grade at no cost. This could be a good opportunity for the community to interact with students, and vice versa. The board decided to consider some pros and cons of such a decision, and it will be brought up at a later date.

[By DEREK HURLEY]