PITTSBURG, Kan. — Seven years ago, when the Pittsburg School District received its first “standard of excellence” designation in connection with state assessments, there was a huge celebration.
Years later, such awards come more regularly, and no one thinks to have a big party with cake and punch.
Except this year.
Test results from last spring show that Pittsburg Community Middle School earned five standards of excellence: one for every grade level in reading, a buildingwide writing award, and a buildingwide composite standard of excellence. The school has 550 students.
Assistant Superintendent Cory Gibson summed up the accomplishment in one word: remarkable.
That’s because historically, many school districts struggle with achieving good state assessment results at the middle-school level.
Three years ago, the middle school met 69.2 percent of the requirements put forth by the No Child Left Behind program. This year, it met 82 percent.
Fifty-nine percent of Pittsburg Community Middle School students who are eligible for free and reduced-priced lunches — commonly used as the measure for students who are “at risk” — met No Child Left Behind requirements three years ago; this year, 76 percent met the standards.
School personnel no longer talk about how classes or grade levels are faring, but how individual students are doing.
The school maintains a data folder for every student in reading. It charts the student’s level when entering the school, along with trends, weaknesses and intervention methods tried.
In addition, staff members identify students who are struggling in reading and carve out 50 minutes in each school day to give them additional support.
The district also hired Mary Beth Dunlavy, a 30-year veteran of special education, and Shelley Hale, an expert in adolescent reading and at-risk strategies, to coordinate the efforts.
Hale told Gibson that she never would have believed that the school’s accomplishment was possible. But they both knew how much was riding on it.
Said Gibson: “By middle school, if students aren’t experiencing success or we’re not trying to do something about it, we know that statistically their chances at being successful at high school and beyond are not good.”
Local News
Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Pittsburg Middle School earns honors
- Local News
-
-
FTC program gains support from national foundation
For Joplin High School junior Drew Holle, taking auto classes at Franklin Technology Center is a family affair. “My dad went here, my brother went here and now I’m here,” Holle said. “I’ve always been into it. My dad owns his own shop. It’s just something I’ve watched him do, so now I want to learn.”
-
City official: SEMA rejects helping individuals pay for safe rooms
Joplin officials were notified Friday by the State Emergency Management Agency that individual storm shelters will not be funded, but a spokesman said that $20 million will be earmarked to build community safe rooms in Joplin schools or elsewhere.
-
Racial slur written on door of church that holds Spanish-language service
When Pastor Greg Earl arrived at Mission of Encouragement Church about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday to do work with his food pantry, he was shocked by what he saw.
-
Lake-business owners worry about any plan to tap Stockton
Two Stockton Lake business owners said their questions were answered Friday about reports that water from the lake might be piped to Joplin at some point in the future.
-
Masonite to add 65 new jobs in Pittsburg
Masonite is expanding its exterior door and glass insert manufacturing plants in Pittsburg, and company officials anticipate a growth of about 65 jobs.
-
Three JHS seniors finalists for national scholarship program
Three Joplin High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Siri Ancha, Michelle Barchak and Derek Carter are now among the 15,000 finalists who will be narrowed down to 8,300 winners for corporate-sponsored, college-sponsored and National Merit $2,500 scholarships in the next few months.
-
Play’s issues remain relevant
It’s performed by one of the smallest casts in recent Pittsburg Community Theatre history, but “The Glass Menagerie” will be no less impactful, says director Linden Little.
-
Mike Pound: In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl is Sunday
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, then you are probably aware that the Super Bowl pre-game show is now in hour number 173. By now, profiles of every person who has ever played in the NFL have been completed and aired.
-
Webb City school official cites Bright Futures reception
Webb City Assistant Superintendent Kevin Cooper pointed to a recent request on the district’s Bright Futures Facebook page as an example of how the community has embraced the new program.
-
Brunner’s wealth would rank high in US Senate
St. Louis businessman John Brunner has already poured at least $1 million into his U.S. Senate campaign.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
