By Sarah Lang/The Lebanon Reporter
Dover — Western Boone County School Corp. recently reached a goal it hasn’t seen since 2002.
The corporation, as well as each of the three individual schools, met Annual Yearly Progress, even in a year that the passing standards were raised.
“This is something that’s not easily accomplished, so we’re very proud of everyone,” said Susan Ottinger, director of curriculum for the corporation.
The Indiana state AYP standards — which measure student performance and participation rates on the ISTEP+ tests, student attendance rates and graduation rates — were raised this year from a required 65.7 percent passing rate for English section of the tests to 72.6 percent, and from a 64.3 percent passing rate for math to 71.5 percent.
The bar will be raised again in 2010, and every year after that until 2014, when both passing rates will be 100 percent.
Overall, Granville Wells Elementary had 79.7 percent passing English and 84.9 percent passing math. Thorntown Elementary had 80.3 passing English and 79 percent passing math. And at Western Boone Jr.-Sr. High School, 73.9 percent passed English and 81.7 percent passed math.
Ottinger pointed to standards-based instruction followed by frequent and meaningful assessment as to how the corporation arrived at this level.
“The district will continue with professional development focusing on effective instruction and data analysis,” she said.
WeBo’s success comes at a time when many schools are slipping. More than 50 percent of Indiana schools did not meet the higher standards.
The three corporations in Boone County, however — Western Boone, Lebanon and Zionsville — all reached AYP this year.
“Boone County schools had great success, and we all have something to celebrate,” Ottinger said. “Boone County is definitely a leader in providing quality instruction.”
WeBo’s goal is to keep meeting these standards, even though it is continually a tough goal to reach.
“We are driven with our professional development to improve the students’ learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Judi Hendrix. “I’m so excited that we finally all have made AYP.”
