1988-10-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

209 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, October 12, 1988 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - October 12, 1988 COuncil met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Buck, Rev. Edwards, Mr. Towe, Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. Mr. Ron Hutchinson, Director of Secondary Education for Charlottesville Schools, reviewed the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Advanced Placement Test, and Virginia State Assessments for the 1987-88 school year. Mr. Hutchinson stated that 65% of all seniors took the SAT, which is a very high percentage, and that the average score exceeded both the state and national averages. Mr. Hutchinson stated that good results had been achieve on the Advanced Placement Test. Mr. Hutchinson explained that the Virginia State Assessment included the following tests: Grade 1 - Cognitive Abilities Test; Grades 4, 8 and 11 - Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Mr. Hutchinson stated that the test results of the Cognitive Abilities Test, which were lower than the State averages, revealed that many children do not have the basic foundation Upon which to build when they come into the educational system. Mro Hutchinson stated that the results of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills given to grades 4 and 8 were above the national average, but below the State average, though not to a significant degree in most cases. Mr. stated that the scores most out of line with the State averages were those of grade 11 students and that the schools are presently analyzing these results to determine the reason fOr the scores. Ms. Waters observed that the schools may not be effectively addressing the educational needs of the 35% of students who do not take the SAT. Rev. Edwards noted concern with the test results and explanations offered by the School administration for the low scores and requested that the School Board take steps to remedy the situation. Dr. Cibbarelli, Superintendent of Schools, stated that the following steps have already been taken to increase student achievement: four-year old program; pairing of middle schools, changing curriculum, looking at teaching strategies. Dr. Cibbare!li acknowledged that additional steps need to be taken to improve the test scores for the lower 25% of students. Dr. Cibbarelli Stressed that test scores are only one indication of the effectiveness of the school system. Mr. Buck questioned whether the schools can be evaluated on a school by schOOl or class by class basis and Dr. Cibbarelli replied that the test data for the past five years is being analyzed on both a school by school and system level. Ms. Waters recommended that other indicators to assess the quality of schools be developed in addition to the test scores.