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GCS News Briefs
July 10, 2009 GCS Releases Preliminary EOC and EOG ResultsGCS made significant progress on End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests during the 2008-09 year. Gains made at the elementary and middle school levels are particularly impressive. GCS increased in all 10 subgroups on the EOGs, experiencing double-digit growth in eight out of the 10 subgroups. GCS showed improvement in all 14 EOG categories/tests. Subgroups are different population groups within a school or district. On the EOGs, the percentage of students shown as proficient increased by 11 points in reading, from 54 percent in 2008 to 65 percent in 2009. In math, the district-wide gain was 9.6 points, from 70 percent to 79.9 percent. Forty-nine of the district’s elementary and middle schools made reading and math composite gains greater than 10 points. Among them, 11 schools made gains greater than 15 points. In science, the district-wide gain was 13.3 percentage points for fifth grade, from 42.5 percent in 2008 up to 55.8 percent in 2009. For eighth grade, scores increased by 10.1 percentage points, from 51.2 percent in 2008 up to 61.3 in 2009. Results also show that the gap between African-American and white students has narrowed in both reading and math. In 2007-08, there was a 37.1 percentage gap for reading and a 29.3 percentage gap for math. The latest results show a 33.1 percentage gap for reading and a 22.6 percentage gap for math. GCS showed improvement in six out of 10 categories at the high school level. Out of the 25 high schools, 11 showed improvement by five points over last year. Five of the schools showed improvement by 10 points. Scores progressed significantly for three EOC tests—U.S. History, Chemistry and Geometry. Scores decreased for four EOC tests. Those tests were Algebra 1, English I, Civics and Economics and Physical Science. To increase student achievement, the district is focusing on various strategies, several of them outlined in the strategic plan. By 2012, the district’s goal is for 81 percent of students to be proficient on EOG reading tests and 88 percent of students to be proficient level on EOG math tests. In addition, the district wants to have 74 percent of students in fifth grade and 77 percent of students in eighth grade being proficient on the science EOG by 2012. Another goal in the plan is for 89 percent of students to be proficient on all EOC exams by 2012. EOGs, required by the state, are given at the end of the year in grades three through eight in reading, math and science. EOCs are given in 10 subject areas for middle and high school students, with five of the 10 tests counting as part of the new graduation standards set by the state. To view the results by school, visit http://www.gcsnc.com/eoc.htm. For more information, please contact Gongshu Zhang, chief accountability and research officer, at 370-8323. Board Approves Contract Renewals for 148 Interim EmployeesOver the last two board meetings, the board has approved renewal contracts for 148 interim licensed employees that worked in the district during the 2008-09 school year. Last month, 578 interim employees were notified that Guilford County Schools (GCS) had delayed bringing their contracts to the board for renewal due to the uncertainty of the budget situation. Interim employees are those individuals who serve on a temporary contract, which is revisited annually. They are provided a contract that stipulates a beginning and ending of their employment status (June 16 or the last day of school). Interim employees include those who have been employed for less than 120 days; are on emergency, provisional or lateral entry licenses; are retirees; are not in full-time positions; or are Visiting International Faculty (VIF) teachers. For more information, please contact Shirley Morrison, interim chief human resources officer, at 370-8341. Teacher of the Year Finalists NamedWe are proud to announce the 2009 finalists for GCS Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced at a celebration this fall. Special thanks to the Teacher of the Year Interview Committee members: Dr. Anitra Walker, Dr. Barbara Zwadyk, Dr. LaToy Kennedy and Rodney Morgan. After reviewing portfolios and interviewing top scorers, the Teacher of the Year committee has selected these five finalists for the 2009 award: Jennifer Caligan – Nathanael Greene Elementary Congratulations to these five exceptional educators and all of our school-level winners. For more information, please contact Carla Alphin, program administrator for employee relations, at 378-8821 or alphinc@gcsnc. Summer School Is in SessionSummer school programs for GCS started this week. The programs for elementary and middle schools will run Mondays through Thursdays until July 21. Credit recovery summer school for high school runs on the same weekly schedule through July 29. The decision to hold summer school was a school-based decision this year. Select elementary and middle schools and all traditional high schools are offering summer school at their sites. Middle College students are served by the high school in their attendance zone. English as a Second Language (ESL) students are served at cluster sites. Only students who attended GCS schools during the 2008-09 school year are eligible to attend. Parents with questions about summer school should contact Debra Barham, GCS summer school coordinator, at 708-1650 or barhamd2@gcsnc.com. Guilford County Schools Receives Financial Reporting AwardThe Guilford County Board of Education was given the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). An award, which reflects the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, was presented to Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment and the Financial Services Department as the team responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. For more information, please contact Sharon Ozment, chief financial officer, at 370-8343. Two Middle Schools Team Up with the North Carolina Museum of ArtJamestown Middle and Mendenhall Middle are teaming up with the North Carolina Museum of Art for “The Art of Collaboration.” During the 2009-10 school year, teachers and administrators will work with the museum on a plan to integrate visual art into the curriculum. Research indicates students who learn material through an integrated approach in the arts typically retain information at a greater capacity, recall the information at a quicker pace and out-perform their peers in review and testing on the same material. The North Carolina Museum of Art is funding professional development for teachers as well as providing supplies throughout the year to implement this program. The Museum also will provide funding for substitutes so the teachers can meet to discuss and collaborate on lessons. Once the program is implemented in these two schools, GCS and the museum will look at expanding the program to include more schools. Below are a list of teachers and administrators from each school who are involved in the project. Jamestown Middle Mendenhall Middle The Latest News from GCSTV 2
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