By Brenda Sexton
The Courier-Herald
The Measurements of Student Progress for elementary and middle school students and the High School Proficiency Exams will replace the Washington Assessment of Student Learning this spring.
White River School District Assessment and Curriculum Director Mike Jacobsen presented an overview of the changes to the White River School Board at its Jan. 13 meeting.
He said the assessment will be similar in measurement, but student test-takers and teachers will see a reduction in student testing time, shorter reading passages and fewer short-answer items. In most cases, there will be no extended response items. There will also be no ninth-grade testing.
For this first series, Jacobsen said tests will be like the former assessment, done with pencil and paper. He said the district was invited to participate in a pilot online testing program, but the district does not have the technological infrastructure to meet the testing criteria. He said many districts are finding they do not have the computer resources for on-line testing. He said the district will continue to look at the situation so it can be prepared for future state requirements. Jacobsen presented the board with a quick demonstration of how the online test would look.
Jacobsen also explained to the board the testing windows this spring will change. High school students will take the HSPE in late March and early April, while elementary and middle school students will take the MSP throughout the month of May. He said the late test-taking period will likely delay the return of results to the district.
In other business, the board:
• set its next special meeting for 6 p.m. Jan. 27 and its next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Feb. 10, both at the board conference room.
• reminded those in attendance there will be early release for middle and high school students Tuesday.
• was updated on happenings at White River High School by its Associated Student Body officers. ASB officers said they recently met with representatives from other high schools to talk about recognition programs and they are also participating in a Battle of the Bands program.
Battle of the Bands was created in 2007 as a way to encourage youth to be creative, work hard and be rewarded for their commitment to music. This year, 34 high schools are vying for the top prize of $10,000 for their music program. School bands are highlighted on the radio and their video and audio performances are posted on-line.
Past winners include Shorecrest High School, which used the prize money to fund a trip for the band to perform in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, and Liberty High School. There is also a “No School Left Behind” prize of $2,500 awarded to the school that shows outstanding spirit and effort throughout the competition.
ASB officers said students and community members can vote for White River by texting 24300, ROCK33.
• was recognized by Superintendent Tom Lockyer as part of national School Board Appreciation Month. Lockyer presented each board member with children’s book “Snowflake Bentley.” He said, like a snowflake, each board member is unique and brings individual talents to the board, and, like snowflakes, when they join together they make great things happen. An added bonus to the presentation is district secretary Elizabeth Snodgrass has a family connection to author Jacqueline Briggs Martin.
• approved out-of-state travel for Pam Stern to attend LANGUAGE! training in San Antonio and Greg Borgerding to attend Advancement Via Individual Determination leadership training in Chicago. The LANGUAGE! program is a White River reading intervention program for middle and high school students. Stern’s trip is paid for through Title I professional development funds. The district selected Borgerding to fulfill an educational commitment to the AVID program and this is the final series in his training.
