OCR Text |
Show Volume XIV Issue XVII The Ogden Valley news Page 13 November 15, 2007 Utah School Test Scores Fall Far Behind its Demographic Peer States Utah Foundation today released a research report examining Utah’s standardized school test scores. The report is entitled “School Testing Results, 2006 & 2007: How Utah Compares to Other States.” (Report available at www.utahfoundation.org) In addition to providing a listing of scores on the Iowa Tests for each public school in Utah, the report examines other national tests that allow for direct comparison between states. In these tests, Utah Foundation selected states that are “demographic peers” to Utah—those states with similar levels of student poverty, similar education levels of students’ parents, and similar ethnic profiles. Utah Foundation President Steve Kroes said, “It’s not enough to merely look at national averages and say that Utah is doing fine because we’re close to the national average. Utah’s school population has a lot of educational advantages, including low poverty rates and a high percent of parents who have graduated from college. With these advantages, a state like Utah is expected to score much higher than national averages.” The report finds that Utah is scoring well below what would be expected for a state with its demographic profile. In math, reading, and science tests for 8th graders, Utah ranked 30th (math), 29th (reading), and 18th (science). But if Utah were in the middle of its demographic peers, it would score in the top 10 in science and in the top 15 states for math and reading. Utah’s closest overall peer states are South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska. These are generally high-scoring states. Kroes added, “We suspected that the states most like Utah would be high performers, since research shows that as much as 80% of a student’s academic performance is related to demographic factors. But we were startled to see how wide the differences are between Utah and other states that have very similar demographic profiles. Therefore, it seems likely that Utah’s academic performance is being limited by school-based factors, which may well include our low levels of funding and high class sizes.” The rep o rt is freely av ailab le to the public on the web at <www. utahfoundation.org> The mission of Utah Foundation is to promote a thriving economy, a well-prepared workforce, and a high quality of life for Utahns by performing thorough, wellsupported research that helps policymakers, business and community leaders, and citizens better understand complex issues and providing practical, well-reasoned recommendations for policy change. Ahoy Matey! By Montana Wayment, 6th grade student reporter Every year the third grade has a pirate reading party. They even have a real pirate come and teach them how to talk like a pirate. He also reads them a story. At the party, the third graders dress up and have a fun day playing games. One of the games that they played was like musical chairs. They walk on all of the papers until the music stops. If the paper they land on has a skull on the bottom, they get a Twinkie. Third graders always look forward to that fun pirate party. BEOWULF cont. from page 1 program. “The idea is that the city that opens the same book closes it in greater harmony.” The Weber County library system has a listing of several recommended versions of “Beowulf” for readers of all levels and ages. For young readers, James Rumford’s “Beowolf, a Hero’s Tale is an excellent choice. Weber County Ogden Valley Branch Library staff Sarah Loveto, Jami Foy (cardboard portrait), Tiffany, Karen Burton, Peggy Emory, Nanci Byers, and Victoria Young-Burns created the paper mache depiction of the dragon from Beowulf, a Weber Reads selected title for January. Megan Warnes, Nick Bennett, Mrs. Zaccardi, Mikey Schelling, Eva Serio, Samantha Wilkins on Pirate Day at Valley Elementary. GRAND OPENING ! Health Shoppe Located in Valley Gifts in Eden 35% OFF one Solaray product or 20% OFF one Nature’s Plus product One coupon per customer please. Expires 15 December 2007 $749,000 One in a million Country Farm House in secluded East Huntsville overlooking the Monastery’s pristine properties. Incredible custom details throughout. Fantastic floor plan with a unique 600 SF guest bedroom/office space above garage. 1.6 acres. Animals permitted. Owner/Agent. MLS #703705 Call Jeff Good - Season’s Real Estate at (801) 710-3932. |