Setting a Standard

The results of the 2008 Kansas State Assessments are finally official and we are again proud to see our overall results.  Our district continually strives to give our students the very best education that your tax dollars can provide and I firmly believe that the assessment results help prove this to be true.  Although we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, we are proud of the fact that our students and staffs do an exceptional job.

The focal point of the assessments is to reach AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).  This is the benchmark that the federal No Child Left Behind legislation is based on.  It is the goal that all children will be proficient in reading and math by the year 2014.

Our individual schools both did a phenomenal job in the AYP category.  At Hanover, we had 82 of 83 students meet proficient or above in math and in reading we had 79 of 82.  These percentages have to be among the best in the state.

At Linn, we had 94 of 101 in math and in reading we had 93 out of 100.  Again these indicate tremendous effort by both students and staff.  We can all be proud of these exceptional results.

There are two other categories that were tested in 2008, science and social studies.  In science, Hanover had 29 of 31 at proficient or above and in social studies they had 27 of 32.  At Linn, we had 34 of 35 in science and in social studies we had 35 of 36. 

The state also recognizes efforts through their Standard of Excellence categories.  These are determined by the percentage of students in each level attained.  The levels are academic warning, approaching standards, meets standards, exceeds standards and exemplary.

At Hanover the following classes achieved the Standard of Excellence:  3^rd grade reading and math, 4^th grade reading and math, 5^th grade reading and math, 6^th grade reading and math, 7^th grade reading, 11^th grade math, and 11^th grade reading.  The Hanover building also received the Standard of Excellence in K-8 math, K-8 reading, 9-12 math and 9-12 reading.

At Linn the following classes achieved the Standard of Excellence:  3^rd grade reading and math, 4^th grade reading, math and science, 5^th grade math, 6^th grade reading, math and history, 7^th grade reading, 8^th grade reading and math, 11^th grade math, 11^th grade reading and 11^th grade science.  The Linn building levels achieved were for K-8 math, K-8 reading, K-8 history, 9-12 math, 9-12 reading, and 9-12 science.

I continually ask our staffs to do a better job each and every day.  They are truly doing an exceptional job for your kids.  The next time you see a teacher, please let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.  We are definitely setting a high standard for all to achieve.