WEEMS—During the Lancaster school board meeting on Monday, October 7, director of achievement and accountability Anna Kellum walked through the recent updates to the School Quality Profiles and accreditation status for the elementary and high schools. Both schools were accredited with conditions. (See related story).
“We’re seeing a real correlation with absenteeism and our growth and pass rates,” Kellum said. She added that of the 98 students who failed an SOL test, 65% were chronically absent. “If they would have been in school, we would have seen a difference,” she said. Among the next steps to achieve full accreditation and address chronic absenteeism were creating an absenteeism task force and plan; holding bi-weekly data meetings and conducting weekly assessments in all areas; creating individual reading plans for all students K-3; inclusion training for special education teachers and co-teachers, providing parent resources to support students at home; and providing tutoring opportunities for students.
LES principal Keegan Walters reported that baseline assessments in math, reading, science and social studies had been completed. “Based on those scores, teachers and students set goals related to when they take the tests again mid-year,” he said.
Walters said approximately 200 students were staying after school on Mondays and Wednesdays to take part in either tutoring or club activities.
There's more to this story...
Are you a subscriber?
Log in
Many more news articles, photos and ads are available only to those
who subscribe to our printed newspaper or our online e-Edition.
Pick up a copy or Subscribe today!
