Local schools ask for ISTEP waiver

Homepage

Discussion

January 18, 2013

Local schools ask for ISTEP waiver

Not enough computers at elementary, says administrators

By Nate Smith Washington Times Herald The Washington Times-Herald Fri Jan 18, 2013, 08:14 AM EST

WASHINGTON — Washington Schools are asking for a waiver to opt out of the online portion of the ISTEP test coming in April.

During Thursday’s Washington School Board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Paul White said the school has asked for the waiver due to a lack of computers at the elementary schools. White told the board the state is probably not going to allow the waiver.

“The communications we’ve received so far is we will have to do the online test and we put together a plan,” White said.

In March, students in the elementary and high schools will take the first portions of the state-mandated exam with pencil and paper and the online multiple-choice portion in April. White said he and the corporation’s Information Technology staff are working for plans for all elementary students to take the online portion of the ISTEP.

“It will be very difficult,” White said. “There are a lot of complications, lot of special thins to make it work.”

White said there will be no trouble in the junior and senior high school, as the schools have enough computers. The problem, he said, will be at the elementary schools. Superintendent Daniel Roach said a snow day, if students are off, may have to be moved to accommodate the ISTEP tesing on May 3. A determination will be made at the board’s February meeting.

Griffith changes

White told the board during his curriculum report he is taking Griffith Principal Richard Lloyd and other teachers to Southport Elementary School today to observe the school’s programs and how they might work at Griffith.

Last month, Lena Dunn Elementary adopted several programs being used at the school, including 90-minute reading blocks. White said the transition has gone well and a lot more students are getting direct instruction.

Lena Dunn library

Roach said an opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 4 for the renovated library at Lena Dunn elementary. He said the library has started to look like its final form with the carpet installed Thursday. Shelving and desks and furniture are waiting to be installed for the ceremony.

Tom Emmons, the main benefactor of the library, will be in attendance for the ceremony.

“The students are very excited about the progress and it is very fun to watch,” Roach said.

Surplus material

Want a backboard a Zeller may have used? How about a large milk machine? Or maybe a parking lot vacuum?

The board named these items along with several unused items surplus property and intend to either sell or dispose of the items.

For more information, contact the school office.

Personnel

The board appointed Eric Gilley as eighth grade boys basketball assistant coach and Jeff Lemon as assistant softball coach.

Text Only

Local News

Republicans to vote on new trustee
Republicans from Washington Township will meet today to vote on a new township trustee.
Fifteen committee chairmen from Washington Township will vote at 8:45 a.m. today to fill the position following the death of Albert “Pete” Showalter, who died on April 13.

May 18, 2013
North, Owens 'Play' hard
B-R to graduate 41
Police Report
School board approves new handbooks

Obituaries

Daniel E. Foster
Daniel E. Foster, 65, died Thursday afternoon at his residence.

Born Dec. 3, 1947 in Montgomery, he was the son of Virgil and Mary (Yates) Foster. He graduated from Alfordsville High School in 1965.

May 18, 2013 1 Photo
Mary Willis
Paisley Morgan
Mildred ‘Millie’ Beck

Local Sports

Obaseki moving up the ladder
Ben Obaseki was happy with his performance at the three-day rookie mini-camp of the Green Bay Packers. Now it is up to the Packers, or another team, to make a call.

May 18, 2013
Dubois wins Loogootee Sectional
WHS girls soccer call-out meeting
Cougars win one for Samantha
Wagler places 2nd in 1600 meters

The "Z" Watch

IU still working towards sixth banner
Monday night in Atlanta, Louisville won the school’s first National Championship since the year I was born - 1986. This accomplishment is significant to Indiana basketball fans, because the last two times the Cardinals cut down the nets (1980, 1986), the Hoosiers did it the following year. The stat, of course means nothing, other than both schools had strong programs in the 1980s.

April 11, 2013
Zeller declares for NBA
Washington shows support for Zeller
Zeller scores 18, but Pacers beat Cavs 99-94
Oladipo, Zeller named All-Americans

Must Read

Kia Optima is a hit with the buying public
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.

May 17, 2013 1 Photo
The story behind the viral deer on a bus video
Identity-theft victim jailed on culprit’s warrant

Entertainment

Movie preview: “Star Trek Into Darkness”
Plot: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within that has left Starfleet in ruins, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

May 13, 2013 1 Photo
Movie preview: “The Great Gatsby”
Movie preview: “Peeples”

State News

Indiana’s high school grad rate continues upward
Indiana’s reported high school graduation rate continues to improve, moving from 77 percent to more than 88 percent in less than a decade, but there are still significant achievement gaps marked by race and income.

May 14, 2013
Schools chief Ritz on fast learning curve
SLIDESHOW: Governor Otis R. Bowen

Homepage

Search Results

Discussion

Local schools ask for ISTEP waiver

Not enough computers at elementary, says administrators

Do you have a Summer weather prediction?

Site Map

Contact Us