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Show xr e o' Volume Utah X4(28 Eureka, ' Eighty-Fiv- e January c 29, i 30 Number 5 "cjt C6flSWffD6il fair Editors note.. .The following article is a copy of an item that was printed in the January 20, 1988 edition of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. We thought it would be interest to the residents of Tintic School District who are constantly waging the battle against con- sdlidatian. It was written by Dawn Tracy, Tribune Education Writer. Researchers are finding that smaller, not larger, districts are most efficient in raising students test scores. The findings fly in the face of current thought in Utah that says districts must consolidate into larger units to save money. Theres quite a bit of information coming out about size and its effect on classroom size, schools, and said Cecil G. Miskel, the University of Utah Graduate School of Education. Generally, the findings are that large isnt necessarily better. Its a complex issue, said the dean. But the stream of though is that huge educational complexes the most effective way to educate students. Since the early 1900s, school districts, Dean of Sft)fe districts from the students family status, generally achieved higher than Researchers also found that district students from larger ones. The two size, rather than how money is spent conceded that their findings "are on each pupil, makes a difference in contrary to popular and con-o- f students achievement. The researchers studied 500 siderable opinion, but corroborate in New Jersey with districts previous research. enrollments Researchers have long known that ranging from 36 to students. students coming from families with 56,294 Average district size state was the 2,004 students. higher incomes, education and in Researchers found that on certain professions do better on achievement tests than do children average, all districts beuw 2,601 in from families of lower economic student enrollments scored higher on achievement tests than was status. The findings showed, however, predicted by the youngsters that smaller districts made more of socioeconomic status. Students in an impact on students achievement districts with enrollments above levels, bringing up test scores higher 3,900 scored lower than predicted, than would normally be expected and students in districts with students in smaller-size- d ffin) enrollments above 7,150 scored the and parental preferences. Also, worst of all - three points below what smaller districts have less from their predicted status. socioeconomic Test results were the same in the study, no matter what test was used. Researchers used minimum basic skills, highest level skills and commercial tests in the stuHv. The researchers concluded that consolidation of districts into larger units that has been taking; place for the past half century may have been a move in the wrong was direction. The researchers said that smaller districts do better than larger ones because superintendents and central staff may be more aware of citizen School board mulls issues bureaucratic layers and administrative complexity, and teachers can be more involved in decisions. The Us Miskel said that legislators should carefully consider current research on district size. Consolidating Utah schools into, say, 29 districts is a bad idea, said Mr. Miskel. It boggles the mind, the kind of bureaucracy that would be created. Larger districts may have fewer administrators per pupil than do smaller ones said Mr. Miskel. But in absolute size, the numbers of administrators in bigger districts is larger. In absolute size you have more of a critical mass to deal with, he said. It makes for less flexibility. Enrollments in some of Utahs districts At the board meeting on Jan. 18 capacity of legislative liaison person program to be funded by the in-fstudents; Max Garbett reported on the rural schools. On Wednesdays at dividuals who wish to participate. 49,400; districts have consolidated into larger units to cut costs, according to an article in the Educational Researcher. The average number of students in districts across the United States was about 200 in 1930, but had grown to almost 3,000 in 1972. Utah has been considered a model state for the last 80 years after consolidating its schools into the current 40 districts. Since then, legislators have been trying to reduce the number of districts even further, including consolidating by counties, by enrollments, and by still other plans. But researchers are finding that larger districts arent the most efficient In one of the largest studies on district sizes, Herbert J. Walberg, University of Illinois at Chicago, and William J. Fowler, U.S. Department of Education, have found that Eureka City or meeting with Juab Board of Education. Board president Cleo judge, Max Garbett and Supt-aren- t Openshaw recommended that Tintic and Juab complete a study on consolidation of school districts on their own. They made the recom-mendation for the following reasons: The Legislature has mandated that each district will be responsible to do a study. If Tintic were to rely on the generic studies of Logan-Cach- Weber-Ogde-n, e, they would have noting since their cir- - 2 : 00 p.m. she will hold meetings with board members and superintendents to report progress on bills at the legislature. LeNora will take no position in opposition to the Society of Superintendents or the Utah School Boards Association unless they are contracted prior to her taking an opposing position. The information from the" tax commission was discussed, along with the kinds of cuts that would have to be made in state services if the tax limitations should pass. Utah does not currently have the Granite, 73,000 Jordan, 61,000; Davis, Alpine, 35,400; Salt Lake City, 24,500; Nebo, 15,400; Provo, Regarding cooperation among 12,500; Ogden, 11,600; andParkCity, districts, Tintic is currently looking 1,340. into cooperative efforts, not only Researchers said that increasing with CUES, but also with Nebo-Prov- o money spent on students didnt raise and Millard. The board voted test More important is what scores. in favor of adopting a calendar for teachers do. 1988-8- 9 year which will be the Throughout the years, thousands seven school used calendar by districts. studies have shown that mastery learning, direct teaching, parental of homework and ef-- ' read which tate that Tta past few effective in scores test raising years have been very productive for 52 A letter from the Governor was involvement, American education, particularly in js money spent on education. cumstances are not that similar to The superintendent flationary, growing economic Utah. Many changes have been put recommended Bernard Furse be conditions that were enjoyed by 15 cs. accident injures former Eureka residents 1-- effort of a study with Juab School District. It was reported that LeNora the Tintic High School District and piothow was hired to act in the stated that perhaps they should not be takpn too seriously as every 15 years they tend to reverse. The drivers training program was riigpHggpd Supt. Openshaw stated that this years Tintic District should receive money to purchase a new drivers training vehicle. Also discussed was a view held by some, that this would be an appropriate of the best kept secrets in Utah is the of our schools. A greasing quality could report a card oo(d report information that was oeemed important for the public to uiduding. how individual dlstrcts J)ave ,and Progressed over tune, how to s,tand?.rdlzfd stand state and national), (both nrm8 attendance information, promotion rates, number of teachers on career variety of schls "bon A former Eureka resident and his wjfe were injured in a massive 44- vehicle pileup about one mile north q Mountain Springs exit on In- terstate 15, that occurred about 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. Approximately 20 people were taken to UVRMC and numerous others sustained lesser injuries. The most seriously injured victims in- ratios by eluded Richard Bril of Payson (son ladder, grade or class, extracurricular of Mrs. Effie Bell of Eureka), who activities, and for secondary was taken to UVRMC and then A regular meeting of Tintic schools, graduation rates, dropout transferred to University Medical Chapter OES was held Monday rates, percent of students in Center in Salt Lake City. He was W.M. and with Maud pupil-teach- Recorder honored here er evening Blight, vocational education, student Alexander Blight, W.P., presiding. terests after high school, etc. Following routine business, three members were installed in their appointive and elective positions for 1988. They were Patricia Brady, After 33 years of service as Eureka City Recorder, Mrs. Alliene Farren has chosen to retire. Alliene as she is affectionately known to her many friends, started her employment with Eureka City in August, 1955 in the position of City Treasurer. She held that position for three years and then was appointed City Recorder in 1958. During that time, she served six different administrations.. Mayors: Charles Ferris, Curtis Butler, Wayne Cook, lone Ryan, Fred Garbett and in- Lady Elks SJEJ-A-- members A 12: unable to attend the November installation meeting. Following the meeting, refreshments were served by Frank and Adaleen Tuckett. After postponing two January meetings Theodore C. Haynes. Dedicated, efficient, courteous and loyal are just few of the attributes that could be applied to Mrs. Farren. She will be greatly missed in the Recorders office. She is a lifelong resident of Eureka and is the mother of three children... John Farren, Reno, Nevada; Mary Lou Gourley, Eureka; and Linda Hope, Dugway, Utah. She has 12 grandchildren and are because of severe snowstorms, it was 19 good to visit our Utah County friends again. We all were beginning to feel like hibergreat-grandchildre- n. Mrs. Farren will be honored at an open house, hosted by the Mayor and (Sty Council, to be held from 2:00 5:00 p.m, on Saturday, February 6, 1988 at the Memorial Building in Eureka. All friends and relatives are cordially invited to attend and wish Alliene a happy retirement. nating bears, said a chapter spokesperson. Out of town members attending Were: Larry and Peg Butler, Provo; Tom and Carlene Eastwood, Lehi; Irmina Eden, Springville; Darwin and Carol Larsen, Spanish Fork; and Frank and Adaleen Tuckett, Santaquin. nresidinc. Routine business was taken care of and the Annual Spring Luncheon was discussed and voted on. The date for the event was set on April 16, 1988. Members are asked to circle the date on their calendars. It was announced that the cook- book is going in for publication next wee. Officers are urging a good attendance at the next meeting to participate in the election of new officers. After the meeting, games were played and refreshments served by for the evening, Mary Lou and Alliene Farren. Prizes Gourley won were by Dianne Elliott and Georgia Ewell. operated on Tuesday evening and at this writing is recovering at home. Bells Mr. wife, Scheralyn, was treated and released at Utah Valley Hospital for a broken leg. Icy roads and patchy fog were way Patrol Lt. James Utley said the accident was started skidded on ice, then y a ar stopped sideways in the freeways middle lane. Its really a miracle that no one was killed, Lt. Utley said of the pileup, which included three semis. Northbound lanes of were two blocked for more than hours by wrecked vehicles. Southbound lanes were closed for 90 minutes to provide access for wreckers and ambulances. It was reported by the Utah County Sheriffs office that people who were going bound at the time of the accidents odier ne because cdd the dense fog and were unaware of the happenings only a few feet away. chain-reacti- on 1-- 15 south-hostess- es |