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Show Volume III, Issue VIII THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 13 February 15, 2001 Student News Snowcrest Junior High and the 2000 Stanford Achievement Test percentile on 21 of 26 possible major sub-test comparisons. The state’s Each September time is set aside in highest scores were observed in the 40 Utah school districts for third, Grades 5, 8 and 11 Science, Grades 8 fifth and eleventh grade students to and 11 Mathematics, and Grades 3 and participate in taking the Stanford 11 Reading. Achievement Test (SAT). This test is When examining results, such as mandated by Utah State Law. It is those provided here, it is important to important that as many students partic- remember that the areas measured on ipate in the test as possible so an accu- standardized tests such as the Standard rate picture of student progress can be Achievement Test are important, but obtained. This test is a “norm refer- they are only one set of indicators enced” test, meaning that it tests gener- among many which reflect the educaal knowledge. It is just one method tional quality of the entire state system used to measure student performance. or any unit within the system. It differs from the “criterion referSnowcrest Junior High had the enced” tests that are given in the spring highest scores in Weber District with that are designed to determine if stu- the exception of a tie with North dents have learned the core curriculum Ogden Jr. in the Social Science area taught by the teachers in that specific where they both scored a 66. year. Snowcrest’s scores are exceptionally SAT tests results are reported in high with two of the scores being percentiles, which are different than above the predicted range in math and 2000 UTAH STATEWIDE TESTING PROGRAM Performance Trends Based on Standard Achievement Test, Ninth Edition Median National Percentile Ranks EIGHTH GRADE By Cheryl Ferrin school lunches. Amazing as it may seem, this information helps test administrators understand the ranges that schools of similar circumstances may encounter. Of the eight Junior Highs in Weber School District the range of free lunch is from 22% to 6% with Snowcrest Junior High in the 9% range. Just as the number of free lunches provided is one predictor of how a school will perform academically, there is one other predictor that is even more important, but not as easily measured, and that is the involvement of caring adults in a child’s life. When parents and adults show they care by making sure that a child is well fed and rested, secure in his or her relationships, and focused on growing into a well rounded member of society, the results cannot help but make a huge impact on schools in the community. Over the past years the faculty and administration of Snowcrest, with the help of parents, have been focused on the kind of education that brings about the best results for our children. Many things have changed such as schedules, curriculum, tutoring, and especially the assessment component. Making the major assessments competency based lets the students and the parents know at all times where the student is in his or her progress. Additionally, SAT tests are given in the 7th and 9th grades as well as the 8th grade to provide a better picture of the students’ knowledge base. The 7th grade scores were high this year, indicating the quality of students coming from Valley Elementary. The 7th grade over all battery was 64 which translates into an 8.8 grade equivalence. Of the 26 5th grades tested in the District, Valley’s 5th graders rated 4th statewide. The success of this commitment to education is evident in the results of the 2000 SAT scores. As George Will stated in his editorial in the Standard-Examiner Thursday, February 2, “90 percent of the differences among the proficiency of public schools can be explained by five variables: number of parents in the home, days absent from school, hours spent watching television, quantity and quality of reading matter in the home, amount of homework done.” The Ogden Valley community is comprised of the right ingredients that produce the wonderful results that we see coming out of our schools. The schools thank the community members that send such great students for us to teach and, likewise, our schools will do all in their power to strive for continued academic success. Note: Mrs. Ferrin is a current member of the Board of Directors at Snowcrest Junior High School, and past Utah State School Board Member. You Can Purchase This Home For Only $189,975 $500.00 Down $0.00 Closing Costs percents. When a student receives a 55 percentile score, it means that s/he has scored better than 55 out of l00 other students. Scores in the 60’s are considered to be outstanding whereas a score in the 40’s mean that there is cause for concern The overall pattern of results for the 2000 Statewide Testing Program shows Utah students in Grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 are meeting or exceeding the 50 language. Of the state’s 95 Junior High Schools and 34 Middle schools, only six schools scored higher on the over all battery than Snowcrest did. Last year’s over all battery was 62 and this year the battery is 68 Administrators can obtain a general idea of how well their school will do by one indicator that has proven to be an effective tool over the years—the percentage of students receiving free t uie Q , ful ng View e c a r ti Pe Set cula TheOpen Eden General Store Mon. - Thurs. 8 - 8 p.m. a ect p hS t Wi Fri. - Sat. 7 - 9 p.m. Inventory Reduction Sale February 22 Ready to Move in NOW! 20 - 75% OFF Bring in this coupon for a FREE short stack of pancakes Located In Valley Estates Subdivision In Liberty Standard Features Include: > > > > > > > 2750 Approx. Sq. Ft. (1385 Sq. Ft. 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