With the end of another school year approaching, the Eureka Springs school board heard about standardized testing.
High School Principal David Gilmore shared the results of ACT tests, taken in February, and students had an average score of 21, compared to a state average of 19. Of the 55 juniors who took the ACT, 37 have already qualified for scholarships through the Arkansas state lottery. Those results included three students scoring higher than 30, and two had perfect scores in reading.
Gilmore also discussed Atlas testing for all students. Testing in math and biology are coming next week, and high school students already took a science test in the fall. On that test, Eureka Springs students scored 15 points above the state average.
On a different note, Gilmore said the students enjoyed the April 8 eclipse earlier that day. After a safety lecture, students could observe the eclipse through glasses or with a pinhole camera.
Testing. Testing.
Middle School Principal Caen Dowell said his students were about 10 points above state average in tests taken earlier this year. Other Atlas tests are scheduled in the coming weeks, although results will not be available until September or October. He also described positive results from a grant program to provide extra tutoring to struggling students.
In describing the Atlas tests, Elementary Principal Clare Haozous explained the new format students will encounter where they will compare and synthesize two reading passages. She also mentioned a performance scheduled for the following evening, with the Singing Scotties performing The Aristocats.
In other business:
- The slate of officers for the coming year will remain the same, with Chris McClung as president, Al Larson as vice-president, and Gayla Wolfinbarger as secretary. The time and date of meetings also remains the same, on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Larson presided over this meeting in McClung’s absence.
- The annual legislative audit found no deficiencies.
- The board approved $99,000 to complete a floor replacement at the Middle School. A previous portion of the project is already in place, with a price tag of $80,000. The vinyl plank flooring can be replaced in sections if needed.