Fatima R-3 Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman told board members that scores from last spring were pretty good, but noted that in the past some scores have been higher. “That’s going to happen,” she said. “Every year we have a new set of kids taking these tests.”

Board member Matt Robertson asked how students scored the previous year, which is a difficult thing to explain.

Massman said there have been different tests and different standards over the last few years, which makes is difficult to compare one group with the next.

Woody noted that the goal is to help students improve from one year to the next, and to ensure they have an understanding of the subjects. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “We can’t do that right now because of the way testing has been.”

Massman added that scores just don’t translate from one grade to the next.

“We teach using the standards, and the test should be based on those standards,” said Massman. “It’s just different than it used to be.”

Fatima’s goal is to finish above the state average, and Woody said that goal is the primary concern for teachers.

Here’s a look at the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) results by grade (proficient or advanced) for English Language Arts, Math and Science, with state figures in parentheses.

Third grade: ELA, 67% (48.7%), Math, 67% (45%); fourth grade: ELA, 59% (47.1%), Math, 54% (46.8%); fifth grade: ELA, 36% (47.1%), Math, 41% (40.3%), Science, 45% (42%); sixth grade: ELA, 47% (45.9%), Math, 45% (42.5%); seventh grade: ELA, 46% (43.6%), Math, 30% (38%); and eighth grade: ELA, 48% (47.3%), Math, 0% (29%), Science, 48% (44%).

In eighth-grade math, none of the 26 students who took the math test scored proficient or advanced, Massman said, but many students in that class took Algebra 1 instead, and 26.9% of that group were proficient or advanced, compared to 45.3% in the state.

“That’s low,” said Massman.

Here’s a look at the End Of Course (EOC) results by subject (proficient or advanced), with state figures in parentheses.

Biology: 29% (39%); Algebra I: 26.9% (45.3%), English II: 70.6% (59%).

Massman said steps have been taken to improve teaching methods in the classroom, and there are still aspects that are being tackled. Practice tests have been set up for students to take in January and February, and teachers have met with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) representatives to talk about testing.

Massman added that new ELA and Math programs are more rigorous and should help students with test results.

“We’re working with teachers to ensure they are teaching to the new standards because they are application standards, and not simply a regurgitation of information,” said Massman of the school’s attempt to improve EOC scores.

Teachers are also encouraged to attend DESE-provided professional development and other PD opportunities.

Moving forward, the district is looking at the possibility of purchasing a diagnostic testing system to help identify learning areas in which students are not mastering content. “This allows the teacher to provide instruction in those areas to help remedy the problem,” said Massman, adding that diagnostic testing allows teachers to make data-driven decisions regarding instruction in their classroom. 

As a district, Woody said ELA scores saw a little growth, while Math went down. “Math is the area we have to work on,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it. Science scores lower too, but we’re ahead of the state in every area except subgroups. The problem is we’ve set the bar so high for so long, and we just didn’t score well, and it’s kicking our butt for a year. We’ve never had an opportunity to gain points on the Annual Performance Report (APR) because our scores were so high, but now we do. I don’t mind that we set the bar so high because that’s what we expect.”

Board members agreed that teachers are doing a good job. “They have the best interest of the kids at heart,” said board member Suzanne Massman.

“Yes they do,” said Janah Massman. “They really care about our students’ success.”

In other business, board members approved a recommendation from archery coach Rodney Luebbering with regard to lettering for those who participate, and the club will function independently of the school with its own booster to help with financing.

* Fatima will hold summer school next year, with the session to run from May 27 until June 23, a total of 20 days. Woody said that is consistent with previous years, and noted it’s important to the school’s Average Daily Attendance rate with regard to state funding.

* Board members amended the preschool calendar to close the facility March 13 instead of March 6 so that employees can attend professional development.

* The board hired Leann Hoelscher as a special education aide, and Denise Berhorst as the counselor’s secretary.

* Filing for the April election opens Dec. 17 and closes Jan. 21 for three-year seats currently held by Doug Luebbering, Keith Huhn and Wayne Baumhoer.

* Bills were approved in the amount of $459,625.94.

REPORTS

Elementary Principal Melissa Wright reported that the holiday music concert for grades K-3 will be held  Thursday Dec. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school gym.

* Jr. Deputy graduation for fifth-grade students will be held on Tuesday Dec. 17, at the courthouse in Linn. There will be a tour at 6 p.m., and the graduation ceremony at 7:15. 

* Elementary students brought in canned food items to help restock the Good Shepherd Food Pantry after the Thanksgiving holiday. They brought in almost 1,300 items. Mrs. Rademann’s fifth-grade class brought in almost 300 food items, and will get a reward on Tuesday Nov. 26.

* PTO had a dance Oct. 25 in conjunction with several high school groups which had a “Trick or Trunk” in the parking lot.  There were more than 100 little costumed “creatures” in attendance, Wright said.

* Upcoming PTO events include Parents Night Out from 3:10 to 8 Dec. 13, which includes activities, pizza, and a movie; and a Movie Night for students from 6:30 to 8:30 Jan. 24.

Wright noted the PTO is generously giving the certified elementary staff $100 of SCRIP for the holidays again this year.

* Enrollment in grades K-6 was reported at 259 students, with attendance at  98%.