The Rock Island Argus from Moline, Illinois • 17
- Publication:
- The Rock Island Argusi
- Location:
- Moline, Illinois
- Issue Date:
- Page:
- 17
Extracted Article Text (OCR)
Fri Sept 5 1986 17 THE ARGUS Rock Island Illinois Report card to measure success of public schools By Tom Raithel Staff writer DIXON Schools in the Illinois Quad-Cities will be sending out a new kind of report card this fall As other report cards measure the success of children this report will measure the success of the public schools But you see the usual B's and The new report will measure the success in terms of percentages of students who score in the top and bottom 25 percent of the nation It will also show how well its students do on such national college entrance exams as ACT and SAT It will enable parents to see how well children at their school do compared to children at other schools in the district in the state and throughout the country About 60 state officials educators and reporters from the Quad-Cities and throughout northwest Illinois gathered in Dixon Thursday to learn more about the report cards which must be sent out in October All it really tell you much until you sit down and talk to various said Ron Marino superintendent of the Ottawa Grade School District Likewise a school report does not mean much unless parents are willing to talk to the superintendents or principals involved Marino said Rock Island-Milan School Superintendent James Hopson who attended the conference said report cards might create confusion at first going to give people some more information but integrating that information is going to be very difficult The first year going to be very confusing After that I think going to be more Hopson said Hollis Nelson director of curriculum and instruction for Moline schools said the report card should provide information which they can use to ask school officials informed questions about their school will provide an interested parent with additional information to better understand what we re doing" Nelson said only 10 percent of its students score in the bottom 25 percent in math That says the school is turning out fewer poor math students than similarly-sized schools Both these percentages would indicate that students in school are doing well in math The report also lists the average ACT and SAT test scores of students in the school It compares these scores with the district and the state The report card also lists the amount of money the district is spending on education the average teacher salary and the amount of time students spend in class in various subjects All school report cards must be mailed to residents in the district by Oct 31 They also must be filed in the offices of Regional Superintendents by Oct 31 They are public records which must be made available to parents and others who ask to see them Some speakers at the workshop warned that the information on the report cards is still limited if your student comes home with a report card that says or A schools in Illinois will be using the same report card form so critical about this report card is that we now have reference said Sally Pancrazio manager of research and statistics for the Illinois State Board of Education sponsors of the report card workshop Some speakers at the workshop warned that the information could be misleading Donald Beggs dean of the college of education at Southern Illinois University-Car-bondale said information on the number of low-income people in the district is included on the report card to indicate why a school may have lower than average scores Many national studies have shown that children from low-income families do as well as others Still speakers at the workshop agreed there is plenty of information on the report cards which could be used to determine how well a school is doing The report card is required by the reform legislation passed by Illinois lawmakers in 1985 This report cards must be mailed to citizens in the district and to newspapers by the end of October The report card will list the percentage of low-income and special-education students as well as the student attendance and the high school graduation rate These percentages will be listed next to the district-wide and national percentages in these categories The report card also will show how well students do compared to other students around the country in several subjects including language math science and social studies This information is gathered from achievement tests given in the third sixth eighth and 10th grade It will be presented in terms of the percentage of students 4ho score in the top 25 percent or bottom 25 percent of the country For example a report card may show 30 percent of the students in that school score in the top 25 percent of the nation in mathematics That says the school is turning out more top math students than similarly-sized schools Likewise the report card may show that Strategy planned for EM school tax hike bid a volunteer effort to get voters u) say yes at the polls Varga said he thinks a large percentage of the printing costs can be absorbed by existing facilities at district schools He presented data to teachers PTA members and administrators showing the district as ranking 311 out of 435 grade school districts statewide in state and local support Varga used a formula which he said is accepted by Springfield as a means to determine wealth in specific districts He divided East total education fund ($5763 363) by its enrollment (2762) multiplied that answer times the number of hours in a school day (6) and multiplied again by the number of days in a school year (178) to arrive at a $1 95 per student per hour cost to educate East Moline grade school students challenge anyone to show me where they can get that type of Varga said even go to to get a Big Mac and a Coke for less than He said he wants people to understand the district needs money if it is to continue providing quality educational programs Without the new money the district would have to consider substantial cuts to staff and programs he said East Moline Grade School hiked its $117 maximum tax rate for 30 years and Superintendent Robert Varga says high time the district starts inching toward the state average of $244 District officials met Wednesday to plan their strategy for convincing voters to support a tax-hike proposal that would bring in an additional $800 000 a year The issue will be put to voters Nov 4 The new money is needed school officials say to offset a projected 1987 education-fund deficit of $650 000 School officials plan to ask voters to approve a 56-cent increase for the education fund If approved the school board could levy up to $1 73 per $100 assessed valuation dealing with a tax rate which was established in 1957 1 think that says it Superintendent Robert Varga said have to say the people of East Moline will be understanding of the raise knowing that it been raised in 30 years" Among the chief concern Wednesday was how to raise enough money to cover the cost of publicizing the need for a tax hike before voters got to the polls Nov 4 Varga said the biggest expense probably will be printing Referendum supporters plan to print substantial literature in conjunction with Staff photoGary Krambeck Coventry Fun Day From left Nevin Lowman Alvy Hayes Don Boyd and Milt Flagel prepare for Coventry Fun Day to be held from 2 to 5 pm Sunday for residents and their families The event will feature bingo bean bag toss a fishing pond and wishing well cake walk and music by Al Koehler All proceeds will go to the local Crippled Children's Foundation Quad-City briefs Teacher scholarships available New lab tests insure blood safety As part of ongoing efforts to further increase the safety of local blood supplies two area blood collection facilities will soon be performing new laboratory tests that identify units of donated blood which may transmit Non-A Non-B hepatitis The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center in Davenport and the University of Iowa in Iowa City both expect to implement these tests alanine amino transferase (ALT) and antibody to the hepatitis core antigen (anti-HBc) within the next several weeks Although the exact cause of post transfusion Non-A Non-B hepatitis has not yet been isolated ALT and anti-HBc tests have been found to be helpful in detecting those individuals who may be carriers of the disease The American Association of Blood Banks has called for the addition of ALT and anti-HBc to the Standard Operating Procedures of their member institutions by November 30 1986 According to preliminary studies spokesmen from the two facilities expect that approximately 3 percent of the total donor base will show an elevated ALT or presence of the HBc antibody when tested Of this small number only 30 percent would statistically be suspect of being able to transmit the disease through their donated blood they explain The remainder may have abnormal test results due to medications obesity strenuous exercise or liver dysfunction not transmissible through blood At this time however all units of blood that fail to meet acceptable ALT or anti-HBc criteria will be discarded Brunsvold named to committee State Representative Joel Brunsvold D-Milan has been appointed by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to the Joint Committee on Secondary and Elementary School Sports experience as a school teacher and athletics coach gives him the kind of knowledge we need on a committee studying school sports" Madigan noted addition Joel is dedicated to improving our elementary and high school sports programs to keep education the top priority while affording students every opportunity to play the sport of their Brunsvold said he was pleased to be appointed to the panel adding athletic programs provide the backbone around which schools garner the most parental involvement and the greatest display of school spirit Police arrest two on pot charges Two people were arrested in Moline Thursday afternoon on charges of felony possession of cannabis after Moline police stopped a car in the 1800 block of 5th Street Police said they stopped a car driven by Karen 3 of 303 Springbrook Courts Moline at 2:16 pm She and Tim O'Connor 27 same address a passenger in the car were arrested also was ticketed for disobeying a stop sign and illegal transportation of alcohol Students considering teaching careers may be eligible to receive up to $5000 a year for college expenses with the Carl Perkins Scholarship a new program available through the Illinois State Scholarship Commission (ISSC) for the 1986-87 school year The deadline for qualified students to apply is Oct 15 The federally-funded Carl Perkins Scholarship program offers awards to undergraduate students who agree to teach at the elementary or secondary school level for a specified amount of time Eligible students must have graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a teacher education program at an approved Illinois college or university Scholarship application forms are available from high school counseling offices college financial aid offices and by contacting the ISSC 106 Wil- mot Road Deerfield 111 60015 Students receiving scholarships must agree to teach on a full-time basis for not less than two years for each academic year they received assistance This obligation is reduced to one year of required teaching in exchange for each year of assistance for those who teach in designated schools with a high concentration of economically-disadvantaged students or teachers of handicapped children with limited -English proficiency In most cases failure to fulfill the teaching commitment within a 10-year period after graduation will require repayment of all or part of the scholarship amount plus interest The scholarship program honors the late US Rep Carl Perkins of Kentucky who served as chairman of the Education and Labor Committee in the US House of Representatives for many years Yat 322-7171 Camp Abe Lincoln will be the setting for this weekend sponsored by the Davenport Family This camp Of fitness activities controlled nutrition and guest speakers will be a rejuvenating experience The retreat begins Friday Sept 19 at 6 and runs thru Sunday Sept 21 noon Sign-up now at the Fee is $40 for members and $50 for non-members Call 322-7171 for more information Festival Marketplace planned in Rock Island The Old Rock Island River City A Association will sponsor a Retail Workshop September 25th 8:30 am to 4: 30 at the Rock Island Sheraton The workshop will feature keynote speaker Richard Roddewig historic preservation specialist The day long conference will feature sessions on owning and managing a retail business in a tourist business environment Classes will include financing marketing buying architectural renovation and tourism For further information contact Lynn Spaight Conference Chairperson 322-3318 Project NOW clinic offers flu shots Project Health Assessment Clinic will again this year offer flu vaccinations These will be available at all Senior Social Centers Nutrition Sites the Clinic and the Moline Outreach Office For further information call Project NOW Senior Center 415 19th Street Rock Island 788-6335 or Moline Outreach 402 4th Avenue Moline 764-8092 All seniors are encouraged to par ticipate Vaccine is available to all adults Backwater Gamblers plan tryouts The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team has scheduled Sunday Sept 7th from 12 to 4 pm as the last 1986 season tryout for new members 1987 tryouts will resume again in early spring but new members this fall will be able to participate in fall winter and early spring club activities All interested persons are urged to attend the session at the Ski site located at the end of 44th Street and Rock River behind Rock Valley Plaza Shopping Center Coal Valley School reunion is planned The sixth annual Coal Valley School Reunion will be held Saturday Sept IS at 4 pm at the shelter in the Coal Valley Park on First Street next to the Bicentennial School Anyone who attended Coal Valley schools before the merger with the Moline school system are invited along with their families A potluck supper will be served coffee will be furnished For further information call Evelyn Engstrom at 799-3872 RV Athletic Club members help MDA Members and guests of the Rock Valley Athletic Club Rock Island participated in a variety of aerobics classes at a Fitness Extravaganza Sunday raising $100 to fight muscular dystrophy The $100 gift was presented to Paulette Cobert district Muscular Dystrophy director as a part of the community effort to support the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon Friends of library plan lunch meeting The Friends of the Rock Island Public Library will hold their September luncheon meeting Monday the 8th at Kimberly Smorgasborg Rock Valley Plaza at 11 am After the meeting a photo session will take place The $750 for the luncheon during the Renaissance Festival will be collected HEALTH QC plans classes There is still time to sign up for two of HEALTH Quad Cities most popular classes at Registration Sign Up Fair on Saturday Sept 6 from 9 am until noon in the Jardine Center at Franciscan Medical Center to Live with is a six hour (three part) class that will clearly describe what stress is how it effects us (both good and bad) stress symptoms and numerous techniques to cope with too much stress Class will be held on three consecutive Tuesdays beginning September 16 from 7-9 pm Advance registration is required $30 fee Call 793-2957 for more information Control Self is a very popular two hour session designed to help with weight control Class size is strictly limited September session will meet on Monday September 15 from pm $25 fee Call 793-2957 for more information Health programs planned at Family Beginning Sept 9th the Davenport and Scott County Family will be offering a series of free health related programs including blood pressure checks body composition diabetes and colo-rectal screenings Also included in the health month will be a seminar on coping with stress A new service that will be available on a reduced fee basis will be a blood screening test that includes cholesterol triglycerides and 22 other blood chemistry levels For everyone participating in the health month a free one week free membership will also be given For further information and details as to days and times of individual testing please contact the Davenport and Scott County Family "WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?" ALSO SEE HIGHLIGHTS OF AMSTERDAM 86' YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT WITH PAUL CALLE Nationally Known Western Artist! I Sat Sept 6 NOON 9 PM Sun Sept 7 NOON 5 PM Paul Calle will personalize this poster and his book during show Winter Surprise Poster $15 18x24 Framed $50 IEIQr WILDLIFE 4 WESTERN GALLERIES NORTHPARK MALL (31 9)386-8440 (loco tad nojrt to York Stook Houio) FREE Informational STOP SMOKING Session Learn how to stop smoking in 22 minutes A paid session will follow Saturday Sept 6 2:00 pm lo Hum Motel Room 5 Aledo 762-6503 John Blair Hypnotist TONIGHT 7:00 ch 4 Billy Graham's bestseller now available in a mw revised and expanded edition at all bookstores I.
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