Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ninth Grade Math Scores Low At PHS

Students in Prescott's ninth grade didn't do well in math on the benchmark tests, but did better in other areas.

This is what the Prescott School Board was told at its monthly meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 26.

However, there is no cause for alarm. Part of the reason for the poor showing is the type of problems the students were asked to solve word problems.

Hyacinth Deon, who spoke to the board about the tests, passed out sample questions to those present, letting them figure out how to answer the questions, show their work and explain how they arrived at the solution. This is what the students had to do as well, only it counted for them.

Parents of the students have been contacted about the tests and told what the district expects of the students for the future. "The children will have to work harder," she said, "and the teachers must have tougher standards. We're not asking too much from out students."

The Prescott students scored lower than the state average on the math part of the test, but higher on the literacy portion.

Deon said the district has three years to get the students up to grade level performance on these tests. Afterwards, if the scores fall below 90 percent, the state can assess the district penalties.

Currently, she continued, the students have trouble with reading math problems and were unprepared for them on the test.

Such questions, she told the board, require a different approach than standard problems.

"They need to know the strategies needed and be able to show the procedures they use," Deon said. "There is no advanced math required. It's all on the eighth grade level and can be mastered."

Prescott Superintendent Ron Wright pointed out this is a nationally standardized test and the students were competing against others across the U.S.

In other business, the board approved adding a dental plan to its insurance package. It will cost the district $2,600 per month for this policy, with those participating having the opportunity to add their families to the plan as well.

By getting the entire district involved, Wright said, it got a better price than trying other methods.

Those adding dental insurance to their plans will be sheltered under the district's cafeteria plan.

Nothing was done about the district's sick leave bank, though the Personnel Police Committee gave its approval.

Wright said all appeared to be ready to add non-certified personnel to the plan when it was pointed out the certified staff was given no input concerning the matter.

Now, a survey will be done with the certified staff to see how they feel about the non- certified workers being part of the sick leave bank.

Once the survey results are in, the board can act accordingly as the PPC has already gave its approval.

Bonds from the recently passed millage increase were sold earlier Tuesday, Oct. 26, as well.

Wright said bond prices had been fluctuating and not in the district's favor.

The bonds were sold at 5.7992 percent, though the firm handling the sale, Rainey and Beardsley, were expecting the rate to be in the area of 6.05 percent.

This, Wright said, will produce a cushion of $50,000 to $100,000 for the district.

Three groups went together to buy the bonds. They were Sterne, Agee and Leach, Inc., Stephens, Inc. and Morgan Keegan.

In addition, he said, several local investors were able to purchase bonds as well.

A special board meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, to formally accept the bond bids. This meeting will be held in the home economics building.

Wright said the district is looking at its crisis response plan once again to help keep it current. This is done at the start of each school year.

The major change made to the plan was giving secretaries more responsibility in it, as they are typically some of the first to be involved.

In addition, Wright said, the district would like for parents to get more involved with the crisis planning.

Local ministers have agreed to allow the use of their churches should some tragedy occur requiring students be moved. And, Wright said, the ministers can also be used in a counseling capacity in times of crisis.

Two students sort of transferred into the district. Actually, the family has been living in the Prescott district until recently when the parents built in the Blevins district.

As the students wanted to continue going to Prescott schools, a transfer was required. The Blevins board gave its approval for release, with Prescott's board glad to keep the students here.

Wright let the board know future meetings will be held in the home economics building, unless a larger room is needed.