BCLUW board examines annual progress report

The BCLUW Board of Education spent the majority of Monday morning’s regular meeting absorbing and breaking down the details of the district’s annual progress report, which mostly focuses on standardized testing scores and proficiency levels.
           
Some of the highlights of the study included 89 percent proficiency in science for third graders at the elementary school, 83 percent proficiency in science for sixth graders and 83 percent proficiency for ninth graders in math. The average composite score for students who took the ACT in the class of 2016 was just over 21, and teachers and administrators are continuing to raise the proficiency goals each year.
           
Board member LJ Kopsa raised some concern about the Iowa Core and whether students were being taught to truly learn or to score highly on standardized tests. He specifically noted math, which overall was one of the areas that the most students struggled with this year.
           
“As a parent that learned (math) in the 70’s, it’s a lot different,” he said before addressing the Iowa Assessments in general. “This isn’t necessarily a good assessment of our kids. It is what it is, but it doesn’t mean our kids aren’t learning. It doesn’t mean our kids aren’t proficient.” 
 

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