| Newspapers; 3/10/06 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 10 2006, 07:04 AM (218 Views) | |
| NFarquharson | Mar 10 2006, 07:04 AM Post #1 |
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From the Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...HOOLS/603100342 Friday, March 10, 2006 Max Ortiz / The Detroit News Clawson Middle School student Jackie Smith works in class. "The middle school really forms the door for what the students will do in high school," says MSU professor Sharif Shakrani. Middle schoolers do poorly in math As state toughens up requirements, MEAP scores fall after elementary years. Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News Fall 2005 MEAP The MEAP was changed last year to reflect tougher standards. For the first time, third-, sixth- and ninth-graders took the test. Close to 1 million students took the tests this year, almost double last year's, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The MEAP was given in the fall, instead of January in order to give a clearer picture -- earlier in the year -- of just how schools and students are performing. Look up your school Find MEAP results in your area with the State of Michigan's School Code Master. The math skills of Michigan's students plunged from elementary to middle school last fall, a decline that signals an area of weakness as the state ratchets up expectations of its graduates. The results of the fall 2005 Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests for third- through eighth-graders released Thursday show significant gaps between the number of middle school and elementary students passing math exams. For example, in fourth grade nearly 82 percent of students met the state's standards compared to 63 percent of eighth-graders. Some drop-off from elementary to middle school in math is common in other national assessments, but Michigan State University professor Sharif Shakrani said this gap is larger than normal and that the state needs to do more to find out why. Experts cite several factors contributing to the poor performance, including changes in the state tests to meet tougher standards. "This is a very red flag," Shakrani said. "The middle school really forms the door for what the students will do in high school." Victoria Maciag, a teacher at Discovery Middle School in Canton, said math grows more challenging the older kids get because it requires new thinking skills. "In the first, second and third grade you learn the basics, and by middle school you're applying those things to problem solving," she said. "Some just have a more difficult time applying the math." Thursday's results also showed successes in reading and elementary math but another potential weakness emerged in student writing skills. The scores are part of the most expansive student test data ever released in the state. This is the first year Michigan has used the MEAP to test grades three through eight in math and reading, giving a clearer picture of the range of student skills. Nearly twice as many students -- close to 1 million -- took the exam this year because of new federal rules. While the data is extensive, the downside to Thursday's release is there is no way to compare the results to past years to spot trends. Because there were so many changes this year to the tests, including making more kids take it and moving the testing dates, the exam results can't fairly be compared to last year's. Some educators are frustrated with the constant changes in the MEAP, but state officials say much of the changes this year were unavoidable because of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. While trends can't be broken out, state officials say they are pleased by the reading and elementary math scores. Nearly 87 percent of third-graders' math skills met state standards and 80 percent of sixth-graders are reading at grade level. But state officials acknowledge the middle school math results are bad sign. Those results are particularly important this year because Michigan is in the midst of passing tough new graduation requirements for its high school students, including requiring four years of math. "It is a concern to us as we are heading into the direction of increasing graduation standards," said Martin Ackley of the Michigan Department of Education. "We want to make sure students have the foundation for that." Michigan's high schools edged closer to state-mandated graduation requirements Thursday. The Senate Education Committee unanimously passed a bill calling for 18 credits, the first time the state would require an overall minimum of credits. There could be a number of reasons for the gap between middle school and elementary kids passing math tests, experts say. The state overhauled what it expects teachers to teach in each grade and subject last school year and the state tests were changed to reflect that. Tom Birchler of Livonia said schools need to expect more out of students in math at an earlier age. His son, Michael, struggled in math once he hit high school. "What they do earlier doesn't require as much work and then when they get to the higher levels it gets tougher, and they don't have the work ethic established," Birchler said. Part of the solution to improving scores is making sure teachers have adequate training, said Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland. He pushed to have $3.8 million in this year's budget to go toward training for middle school math teachers. But that money has been left out of next year's budget, he said. As for writing, significantly fewer students passed that test than the reading tests in every grade. But it's hard to compare writing scores to past years because the writing test was expanded this year. Shakrani said low writing scores are common in national tests as well, partly because there is less emphasis on it in class. Scores on the writing tests for third-graders were the lowest, with about 52 percent of those kids passing the tests. Gayle Green, chief academic officer and assistant superintendent for Instruction for the Macomb Intermediate School District, said one of the main complaints among educators was testing those young third-graders. "First of all, it was the first time they had seen the test," Green said. "And they're barely out of second grade. They're babies." Staff Writers Shawn D. Lewis, Charlie Ramirez, Karen Bouffard, Christina Stolarz and Mark Hornbeck contributed to this report. You can reach Christine MacDonald at (313) 222-2269 or cmacdonald@detnews.com. ______________________________________ http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../603100373/1026 West Bloomfield High School students Samantha Tenbusch, forefront, Stephanie Iovan, left, Amanda Wright and Marcus Martin watch the open-heart surgery via videoconference at their school. About 65 West Bloomfield students participated in the interactive videoconference. Teens watch surgery live in class W. Bloomfield high school students quiz doctor via videoconference Shawn D. Lewis / The Detroit News Briana Rainey, a senior at West Bloomfield High, studies the open-heart surgery. See full image About the program Electronic Education Surgical Suite gives students across the country an opportunity to watch a live open-heart surgery or total knee replacement surgery via videoconference. It is a three-hour experience and includes preparing the patient for surgery. Teachers receive an information packet and materials for pre- and post-experience activities for the classroom. David Coates / The Detroit News Bridgette Ma watches the open heart surgery at West Bloomfield High School. Ma and 64 other students at West Bloomfield High witnessed the open heart surgery of a 59-year-old male patient through an interactive videoconference. See full image WEST BLOOMFIELD -- Reeta Hermiz just knew she was going to faint. Lightheaded and perspiring, she quickly exited the classroom while her classmates sat riveted in their seats watching open-heart surgery being performed live on a huge screen in their classroom. Some giggled nervously. Some stared with furrowed brows. Others dutifully scribbled notes. Some murmured: "That's gross." Hermiz and 64 other students at West Bloomfield High School were participating in a program called Electronic Education Surgical Suite, which allowed students from five high schools in Michigan and Ohio to witness the open-heart surgery of a 59-year-old male patient at Mount Carmel Health System hospital in Columbus, Ohio, through an interactive videoconference. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions of the surgeon during the operation. Proponents say it is the closest thing to being at the surgeon's elbow in the operating room, providing pupils an unparalleled opportunity to learn beyond the textbooks. But some think it may be a bit much to expose to teenagers. Hermiz, 17, of West Bloomfield, who plans to become a pharmacist, illustrated that point. "This was my first time seeing anything like this, and when the doctor put his hands inside the patient, I thought that was disgusting," she said. "I could deal with all the blood, but when he reached in to pull the vein from the patient's leg, I started feeling weak." The teacher, Liza Zanotti, who teaches human biology, was prepared. "A student fainted while we were watching a knee replacement surgery through videoconferencing in the winter," she said. "I sent notices to parents in advance, telling them about the videoconferencing, and no one called with concerns." As an extra precaution, Zanotti said she prepped the class by showing what she described as "graphic pictures" of an open-heart surgery. "I tried to get them prepared," she said. "I know some people get queasy by something new." Psychologist John Porcerelli isn't convinced showing such graphic images to teenagers is such a great idea. "It is an exciting opportunity if they can deal with it, but there are some adults who can't even watch that," said Porcerelli, associate professor in the department of family medicine at Wayne State University's school of medicine, with a private practice in Birmingham. Jodi Wolfe approved of her son witnessing the surgery. "Usually you don't get an opportunity like this until you're in college or medical school," she said. Her son, Eric Wolfe, 16, had heart surgery to repair a mitral valve prolapse four years ago. "I want to go into the medical field because of what I've gone through, and I feel I can relate," he said. Brittaney Harris, 16, who asked the surgeon, Dr. Mark Butler, a question during the surgery, also wants to become a physician. She asked about medical options that could be considered before a heart bypass. Harris said she viewed the surgery as a kind of test. "At first I didn't think I was going to be able to handle it," she said, "but now I know I can." You can reach Shawn D. Lewis at (248) 647-8825 or slewis@detnews.com. ________________________________________ http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...66/1026/SCHOOLS Friday, March 10, 2006 Around Metro Detroit: Capitol Report Bill gives parents, officials a say when districts plan school closings Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau LANSING -- Parents and municipal officials would play a more prominent role in deciding what schools to close when cash-strapped districts downsize under legislation to be unveiled next week. Rep. Andy Dillon, R-Redford Township, said his bill was spurred by community acrimony over recent school restructuring plans in Livonia and Redford Union. "There has been little opportunity for residents and local officials to be part of decision-making," Dillon said. "It's a hot issue in Livonia and Redford and I want to let people know we're trying to do something about it." In Livonia, a plan to consolidate the district and close seven elementary schools has rankled some parents, who have threatened to sue. In Redford Union, the school board is set to choose Monday between seven reorganization proposals to close buildings and reduce staff to help erase an estimated $3.7 million deficit. Dillon is proposing a state law that would require the appointment of a board to include parents and local officials when school districts are drawing up plans to consolidate or expand. The panel would consist of representatives nominated by the school board, superintendent, local governmental officials and businesses in the community. "We want residents and local officials directly involved in the development of plans, not just an opportunity to comment at public hearings once the plans have been drafted," Dillon said. "The goal is to make sure everyone has a voice in the process." The legislation would require districts to publish five-year financial forecasts every quarter so residents and municipal officials have more notice about their local schools' fiscal health. Justin King, executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, said his initial reaction before seeing a bill with details is that it's unnecessary to adopt a state law requiring communication between local school boards and the community. "That's the job of the local school board: To look at the situation, assess it and talk with people in the district and get input before they make a decision," King said. You can reach Mark Hornbeck at (313) 222-2470 or mhornbeck@detnews.com. |
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| NFarquharson | Mar 10 2006, 07:09 AM Post #2 |
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From the Free Press: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS02/603100433 Wayne County Open school books sought Dillon to push finance oversight March 10, 2006 BY ZLATI MEYER FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER State Rep. Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, plans to introduce a bill that would require school districts to publish quarterly financial updates, allowing community members and leaders to keep track of what's going on. Dillon did not say when he would introduce the bill. Dillon's bill also calls for school districts to publish five-year forecasts and appoint a public board -- the school board, the superintendent, local officials and business people -- to work on consolidation or expansion plans. "Developing a plan to shrink or expand a school district is complicated," Dillon said in a news release Wednesday. "A couple of months is not enough time to come up with the best solution for the community." The changes, he said, would enable residents to "get involved before there is a crisis. ... The goal is to make sure that everyone has a voice." Faced with a $3.7-million deficit, the Redford Union School District is considering closing schools and district buildings, which has brought criticism from parents. The school board is scheduled to decide on closures at Monday's meeting. "I'm certain Mr. Dillon's background is in finance, and I know he's been supportive of our district in the past and will continue to be," said district Superintendent Donna Rhodes. "He's concerned there are not a lot of resources for school districts at the state level to help for fiscal budgets. Maybe it's another set of eyes looking at our books. I'm sure this is part of his business sense." Rhodes pointed out that school districts with deficits already are required to submit monthly budgets to the state Department of Education. John Pullum -- one of the founders of Save Bulman, a parent group fighting the closure of the elementary school -- likes Dillon's plan. "If they mess around with our money, we have the right to be more informed about our schools and our children's future and our township's future," he said. "The more informed you are on any project, on any plan, on any struggle, the better. Knowledge is power. If we're more informed, of course, we'll have a stronger fight. If we can be more informed, both sides will be even, not 'Oh, sorry the vote already happened.' " In Livonia, where Dillon represents four precincts, some parents are complaining about the Livonia district's plan to reconfigure grades and close seven schools. They say the proposal was crafted clandestinely and with minimal parental input and was introduced and approved by the school board in six weeks. The group Citizens for Livonia's Future wants an injunction to prevent implementation of the proposal; they'll appear in Wayne County Circuit Court today. Livonia Public Schools could not be reached for comment. Contact ZLATI MEYER ___________________________________ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS05/603100357 Metro Detroit As kids age, math scores slide on the MEAP test Special programs, teacher training could aid students March 10, 2006 BY LORI HIGGINS and PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITERS Most Michigan students did well on the MEAP exams taken last fall, but the scores released Thursday reveal some troubling news for a state bent on requiring more math of high school students: Achievement in the critical subject worsens as students get older. This year's scores can't be compared with those from previous years because the tests changed considerably to accommodate new standards and a federal requirement that tests be given at more grade levels. Still, the scores provide a snapshot of how well third- through eighth-graders met state expectations for what they should learn. And in math, that picture isn't bright. Eighty-seven percent of third-graders scored at the top two levels, considered passing. But the percentage of students who passed consistently dropped in higher grades, to just 63% passing at the eighth-grade level. "The need for higher math proficiency is there because our world is becoming a lot more math-based, and it's important for our children to have the math skills for the technological positions that are out there," Karin Scheiber, whose children attend Grosse Ile Township Schools, said Thursday. "The question is: Are we teaching toward the MEAP, or are we working on improving our children's math skills?" The scores should be no surprise to Michigan educators. Nationwide, there is evidence that student achievement -- especially in math -- drops off while children are in middle school. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress -- the only test given in all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- 38% of fourth-graders were proficient at math in 2005, compared with 29% of eighth-graders. It's a problem Michigan must solve if its students are to meet tougher high school graduation requirements. Several proposals in the Legislature would require students to take four years of high school math, including algebra I, geometry and algebra II, possibly beginning with the class of 2010. "Our kids, at that age level of 9 to 14, are crashing," Jim Ballard, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, said Thursday. "Is it the teaching? Could be. Is it that Mom and Dad don't care? Could be. Is it that they're too busy playing games; they don't see the interest? That could be, too." One solution may be to create more programs like one the Macomb Intermediate School District offers to middle school math teachers, giving them new and different ways to teach higher-level math. That training has been popular, said Gayle Green, chief academic officer for the district. The need for that class became evident when curriculum experts in the county saw achievement slipping in middle school math students. The reason: By the time students reach the middle school level, math classes require more abstract thinking. "If we're going to teach it to all kids -- kids who might not naturally be abstract learners -- we need a variety of teaching methods," Green said Thursday. The bottom line, said Kathleen Straus, president of the State Board of Education: "We have to learn how to teach math more effectively." At Detroit Public Schools, the emphasis will be on giving students who need help in math more attention, said Juanita Clay Chambers, chief academic officer for the district. "At this point, our kids need additional support after school, in summer school and Saturdays," she said. The district has two math-intervention programs -- one specifically for middle school students -- that help kids who are having trouble learning. The plan now, Chambers said, is to evaluate whether those programs are working and decide what needs to be changed. Contact LORI HIGGINS at 248-351-3694 or lhiggins@freepress.com. Staff writers Jocelyn Faniel-Heard, Chastity Pratt and Victoria Turk contributed to this report. |
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