Intense focus is placed on teaching reading in the early grades so that students can build on that knowledge throughout the rest of their school career. In order to assess how well the strategies work, students are tested regularly to identify each child's achievement. The good news in our district is that nearly all of our elementary students who took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills last spring read at or above grade level when they left fifth grade. Therefore, the strategies and programs implemented have had the positive affect we want. Constant vigilance and commitment by staff and parents are necessary for this kind of success to continue.
Parents help immensely by supporting and encouraging student reading at home.
The state required testing for the Graduation Standard in eighth grade last spring in the areas of math and reading. This year's eighth graders will be given a similar test in January. Many strategies are in place to prepare our students to successfully complete the requirement during eighth grade. Our present eighth grade students will take the writing test as ninth graders and they must pass it before being allowed to graduate. Continuous improvement in curriculum and the learning environment is vital to individual students, to families and to the district.