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May 16, 2012

Vigo IREAD-3 scores edge past State’s

84.2 percent of third-graders passed recent statewide test

Sue Loughlin The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Vigo County School Corp. third-graders fared slightly better than the state average on the new IREAD-3 test.

In Vigo County, 84.2 percent of students passed the test, or 991 out of 1,177 who took it. Statewide, 84 percent passed.

“District officials are pleased with this percentage, given the fact that the Vigo County School Corp. has 58 percent of students on free/reduced lunch (state average 45 percent) and a special education population of 22.6 percent (state average 14.7 percent),” said Karen Goeller, Vigo schools deputy superintendent.

Those who didn’t pass are receiving intervention services and will have another opportunity to take the test this summer. The district also is offering a summer intervention program in June.

Seventy-three students, or about 6 percent of test-takers, who failed the test face retention consequences under the law if they don’t pass the summer re-test, Goeller said.

Students who don’t pass IREAD-3 this year will continue to receive instruction in Grade 3 reading; they will be officially reported as a third-grader; and they will participate in the third-grade ISTEP-Plus and IREAD-3 next year.

While all third-graders must take the test, there are three potential exemptions from IREAD-3 requirements: students who have been retained twice, receive special education services and/or are English language learners. Those students are eligible for “good cause” waivers.

For those with disabilities, their case conference committee can determine that promotion to fourth grade is appropriate. For English language learners, an Individual Learning Plan committee also can determine if promotion is appropriate.

About 10 percent of test-takers (who also did not pass) are potentially eligible for the “good cause” waivers, and that process is underway.

Out of 18 VCSC elementary schools, four had pass rates greater than 90 percent: Fayette’s was 97.5 percent; Dixie Bee, 91.7 percent; Lost Creek, 91.5 percent; and Riley, 91.1 percent.

For students who did not pass IREAD-3 this spring, third-grade classroom and resource teachers are providing daily literacy interventions that focus on phonics and reading comprehension, said Susan Newton, language arts curriculum coordinator.

In addition, the school district is offering a four-hour, IREAD-3 Summer Intervention Program for 12 days in June at Sarah Scott Middle School. Transportation will be provided from each elementary school site to Sarah Scott and back.

Students will receive a free breakfast and lunch. The program is offered at no cost to students thanks to the support of the Vigo County Education Foundation, Goeller said. After the summer program, the students will have the opportunity to re-test in an online format.  

“We are hopeful that many of these students will pass the re-test in June,” Goeller said.

According to Newton, about 30 students came within a few points of passing the test.

For those students who don’t pass the re-test, “The state is leaving it to the district to determine the child’s educational program,” as long as the requirements of the law are met, Newton said.

A student who failed the reading test by a wide margin might be retained in third grade, while another student who missed by a few points might advance to fourth grade, but receive instruction in third-grade reading, according to Goeller and Newton.

Working with parents and principals, “We’ll have to decide what is best for each child,” Newton said.

Newton believes the test “was very fair and that was the report we had from teachers who administered it.”

The district also participates in grades K-2 IREAD assessments, which provide teachers with feedback to track student progress and help ensure student success on future IREAD-3 assessments, Newton said. K-2 IREAD assessments do not have any retention consequences.



Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

 

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