By Crystal Hayduk
Assistant Superintendent Julie Deppner provided the Chelsea Board of Education with a review of the first M-Step assessment results, which were administered to students between March and May, 2015.
This year’s delay in obtaining reports from the state has been partly due to difficulties with determining how to clearly report the results, according to Deppner.
She reminded the board that direct comparisons of student achievement from 2014 to 2015 cannot be made because the M-Step is very different from the formerly used MEAP test. Reports will be mailed to parents this week.
M-Step results were reported based on grade level and subject area.
“There were no real surprises for us in any of the content areas,” said Deppner. Chelsea ranked well in math and language arts; and had the highest scores in the county in eighth grade and 11th grade math, as well as 11th grade social studies.
“Statewide, science is the area with the lowest scores,” said Deppner. Among county students tested in science, Chelsea ranked third at fourth grade, second at seventh grade, and fourth at 11th grade.
Deppner said that individual student results indicate both a level of proficiency and an understanding of “claims.” She cautioned against making a correlation between the proficiency score and the claims.
“Claims are the big-picture ideas – very broad concepts,” she said.
As a result of the first use of M-Step, the state has recommended a few changes for 2016 testing. There will be a reduction in hours of testing at most grade levels, except for fifth and eighth grades. Ninth and tenth grade students will take the Pre-SAT. Assessments will take place during April.
Chelsea High School Principal Mike Kapolka introduced the two students who will serve as high school representatives on the board, junior Carly Critchfield and senior Nic Arons. “They were chosen after an extensive process that included interviews by me, teacher Laura Lutz, board member Greg Rhodes, and another student,” said Kapolka. “Carly and Nic have the ability to relate to a variety of groups.”
During the opportunity for public input, Council Member Melissa Johnson invited everyone to attend the Master Plan Community Engagement Open House, sponsored by the Chelsea City Council. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 on Jan. 20 in the McKune Room at the Chelsea District Library, 221 South Main St.
In other board news:
- The board approved changes and additions to policies regarding Family Medical Leave, conflict of interest, weapons, and violence. They also approved international field trips to Scotland for Chelsea House Orchestra and to Quebec for the French class.
- The board approved supporting the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in placing a Special Education Millage request on the May 3 ballot. The proposal is for a ten year 1.5 mill increase to pay for some of the state mandated (but not fully funded) special education services. Superintendent Killips said that if the millage passes, it would increase Chelsea School District funding by $1.2 million. An increase in funding will help to protect the general fund and therefore help all district children.
- The board approved the purchase of a John Deer tractor from D&G Equipment for $21,225 from 2012 bond funds.
- 2016 board officers will be Steve Olsen, president; Laurel McDevitt, vice-president; Anne Mann, secretary; and Tammy Lehman, treasurer.
Upcoming dates:
- No school January 18 in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- The next special (superintendent search) board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on January 21 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center. The board will review legal guidelines and begin to prepare interview questions.
- The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on January 25 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
- Parent-teacher conferences will be 3:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. on January 27 at Beach Middle School; and on January 28 at Chelsea High School, also from 3:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
