Early reports show JISD may get 'acceptable' rating
JHS could get 'unacceptable' score
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Curriculum Director Gwen Gilford presented the preliminary TAKS results data to the Jasper Independent School District Board of Trustees at their regular meeting Monday, July 11.

Data is based on the first administration of the statemandated test s given in the Spring of 2007. It is not final nor does it include scores of those students who retested. The District will release test results and school rankings in the fall when the final report is received.

Gilford said that the cumulative scores look good, and she expects the district to receive an acceptable rating. However, there is concern about some of the sub categories.

For example, there is a wide gap between reading and math scores at Few Primary School. Reading scores are down while math scores are up.

"There are areas in reading that we need to address, and we are revamping the reading program," Gilford said. "Math is consistent because we already use the Sharon Wells program. In that program, every teacher is covering the same material on the same day."

Gilford said that more consistency is needed in the reading program and more work in phonics.

At Jasper High School, preliminary test data shows that students did very well in reading. Of 482 students tested, 424 or 88 percent met the state standard. There is also an 18-point jump in science. However, two sub-groups, the Economically Disadvantaged and African American populations, did not meet the state standard in math for the third year in a row. That may mean that the high school gets an unacceptable rating even though overall scores meet or exceed state standards.

In addition to working on getting those sub groups on target in math, the high school will also include more Advance Placement courses next year.

Jasper Junior High's scores are acceptable or exceed state standards but again, there is one subgroup that fell below the state standard.

Rowe Intermediate School, Gilford said, appears to be in good shape.

Saving the best for last, Gilford announced that Parnell will likely be designated a Recognized Campus. These third and fourth graders scored high in reading, writing and math.

Gilford told the Board that planning has already begun to address those areas that are below standard.

The Board approved the following actions.

Superintendent Bill Dean and Carolyn Foster were approved to serve as investment officers.

The contract for bread products, the only food item that is bid locally, was awarded to Mrs. Baird's, based on the summary of costs submitted in closed bids.

The following new appointments were approved:

Joseph Baker, high school diploma, Introduction to Electronics Computer Maintenance at Jasper High School

Kathy Bass, A.S., Angelina College, Nurse at Rowe Intermediate School

Roy Harper, B.S., Texas College, math teacher at Jasper High School

Jodi Hindman, M.A., Stony Brook University, history teacher at Jasper Jr. High

Charles King, B.A., St. Martin's Olympia, sixth grade math teacher at Rowe Intermediate School

Christine Parker, M.Ed., Lamar University, sixth grade math lab teacher at Rowe Intermediate School

The Board heard two other administrative reports.

Betty Powers, head of the district's site base committee received a letter from TEA, approving the waiver for Bill Dean to serve as superintendent without going through the certification process. Dean is the district's former Director of Finance and Operations with many years of experience in that role.

Dean reported that the final contract has been signed between the City of Jasper and JISD so that the Department of Commerce $800,000 grant to build the Jasper Vocational Training Center is assured. Meetings will be set up to work out the details.