Academic improvements this school year was the focus for the New Bloomfield Board of Education last week.
New Bloomfield Middle and High School Principal Jeremy Davidson reported to the board on enrollment numbers and a comparison of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and End of the Course (EOC) assessments required by Missouri.
Students in grades three through eight take MAP English and language arts and mathematics tests. Fifth- and eighth-grade students are also tested for science proficiency.
After visiting other schools, Davidson commended the quality teaching at New Bloomfield High School, emphasizing low scores don't necessarily indicate poor teaching. He said staff meetings will focus on moving forward and thinking of ways to go above and beyond to improve learning comprehension.
"We have to have the mentality for improvement - that's what it comes down to," Davidson told the board.
Board member Shawn Cockrum asked Davidson if there is a correlation between using more technology in classrooms and higher test scores.
"I don't think technology is the answer," Davidson said. "I think it's a supplement. You can go to New York and look at what New York is doing with their schools there. They were highly delving into this technology idea and then they pulled back in some of the districts. Some of the schools in the districts that pulled back are outscoring the schools that have all the technology. It's good instruction teaching to a standard."
Elementary Principal Julie Gerloff said test results for grades three through five were under the state average for communication arts and mathematics. Fifth graders' science proficiency also fell under the state average.
"I don't like my scores," Gerloff said. "I think that my teachers are too broad - they really need to find those special ones that dig deep, and I think that's what some of the problem may be."
She told the board she wants the elementary teachers to start looking at grade level expectations and power standards in addition to the common core curriculum for Missouri Learning this year.
"We really need to look back at the basics and look at what are the most important pieces that you look for," Gerloff said. "Do they have to have this objective for the next year. You know, you don't want to skip that. There has to be a building on what is something that is going to be a lifelong goal."
She mentioned some teachers felt discouraged when they looked at the test results, but Gerloff reassured them improvements will be made.
"The teachers beat themselves up and I said, "Really, it's not that bad, really, it's not,'" she said.
"But you know, they take it very personal. I was on vacation trying to pull these things up (the scores) and it just makes you wanna throw up because you work so hard."
Board member Terri Sweeten told Gerloff not to focus on the numbers.
"The numbers are important but don't focus on them," Sweeten said. "Focus on teaching the children and move forward."